Staff report
KANNAPOLIS ó Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton will be the guest speaker Monday for the annual Memorial Day service at Village Park.
Beaver-Pittman Post 115 of the American Legion has organized the 45-minute program with help from Poston-Perkins VFW Post 8989.
Jimmy Wilson is commander for the American Legion Post; Peter Harmon, for the VFW. They will join together in the traditional placement of the memorial wreath.
The service starts at noon. Prior to the start, the Junior ROTCs from A.L. Brown and Northwest Cabarrus high schools and two color guards will march from the park office to the amphitheater.
Kannapolis Mayor Bob Misenheimer and Concord Mayor Scott Padgett will be on hand with Dalton. Misenheimer will give the welcome and recognize special guests. Padgett will introduce Dalton.
Retired Sgt. Steve Johnson of the U.S. Marines will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
The A.L. Brown High School chorus ensemble, directed by Lori Haskall, will sing the national anthem. The ensemble also will sing “Song for the Unsung Heroes.”
Kannapolis historian Norris Dearmon will have a presentation on the GI House.
Beaver-Pittman American Legion Post Chaplain Don Davis and the Rev. William Rash, pastor at Centerview Baptist Church, will participate.
There also will be special music and a monologue salute to heroes, including law enforcement, emergency responders and soldiers who have died, are on active duty or retired.
A.L. Brown High Band Director Gordon Snyder will play the patriotic “American Medley” on his trumpet. The Kannapolis Police Department Honor guard will have a 21-gun salute before Snyder leads nine trumpets in “Taps.”
Parking for the disabled is available behind the park amphitheater.
The American Legion Auxiliary will offer coffee and hand out miniature American flags and programs.