By Seth Leonard
Salisbury Post
Local veterans associations will come together Monday, May 25, to observe Memorial Day. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Rowan County Veterans Council will host ceremonies at the Salisbury National Cemetery at 10 a.m.
Don Webb, president of the RCVC, will lead the proceedings, which include traditional music and several military speakers. Salisbury City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Paul Woodson Jr. will offer remarks on behalf of the city. A traditional rifle salute will be given.
Webb served as a combat medic in Korea for eight years before moving to the National Guard. He also served in Operation Desert Storm.
Webb currently dedicates substantial time to providing military funerals for veterans.
“We’ve got an excellent program for deceased vets,” Webb said.
He said that he oversees at least 40 funerals every month.
Of particular note is the man who will give the keynote address. Command Sergeant Major Robert Graves has an extensive military record, including many commendations. Born in 1956 in Guilford County, Graves attended N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University. He served as a fire direction specialist. Command sergeant major is the highest rank of enlisted officer in the U.S. Army, which denotes that he represents men from all branches of the Army.
His commendations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Award, the Bronze Service Star, the Iraq Combat Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Governors Unit Citation.
Local Boy Scouts and ROTC Units will place flags on the gravesites of veterans at the cemetery.