Dont go looking for aMemorial Day parade Monday.
There wont be one.
Why?
Because 13-year-old Treasure Feamster was shot and killed by gangs on Friday, March 16, on the grounds of the J.C. Price American Legion Post.
Robert Chunn, chairman of the children and youth department and chairman of vendors, as well as a past chaplain for nine years, says the trauma of the childs death has created a lack of communication.
We had dances and activities out there, he says, but now people are afraid to come on the premises because of the gangs. The Price Post members and families are afraid to take part, and there was nobody who had any get up and go to do anything after this happened.
And even now, he added, people are calling constantly asking if theyre going to have the celebration they usually have.
And the answer is they will have the same celebration at the Post home, including a special program on Sunday at 10:45 at Fairview Heights Baptist Church, says Chunn. But they will not have the parade.
Nobodys going to do it. This year would have been the 88th anniversary of the J.C. Price Memorial Day Celebration and the parade.
I do not know about next year or the years after, but I do definitely know about this year.
We are still going to have the Memorial Day celebration with Michael Amusements at the Post home at 1433 Old Wilkesboro Road, Chunn says. Those events will take place Monday and Tuesday.
Also, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, there will be gospel singing at the J.C. Price Post.
Instead of the customary parade of the past, this years Memorial Day Remembrance and Ceremony will take place Monday at the Salisbury National Cemetery Annex at 501 Statesville Blvd., adjacent to the Hefner VA Medical Center. Enter there, make a fast turn and follow the road to the top of the hill.
The program will begin at 10 a.m., according to Greg Whitney, cemetery director.
Army Maj. Tim Parker will deliver the keynote address and be introduced by Don Webb, president of the Rowan County Veterans Council.
Prelude music will begin at 10 a.m. by Hercules Shannon of American Legion Post 107.
Webb will make opening remarks, followed by a welcome from Whitney.
The Salisbury ROTC Color Guard, the veterans Posts and auxiliaries will present the parade of colors, followed by an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance by Marvin Buddy Kyles of VFW Post 3006 of the Rowan County Veterans Council.
Martha Corriher of American Legion Post 146 will sing the national anthem and a patriotic song.
Webb will introduce those present; Homer Robinson will read proclamations; members of the American Legion Post 107 will speak for the state of North Carolina; and Salisbury Councilman Pete Kennedy will speak for the city.
Roy Morris, the Veteran of the Year, and Kyles, Chaplain of the Year, will make the memorial wreath presentation, and Bobby Hunter will play the bagpipes.
The Rowan County Veterans Honor Detail of the Military Council will be in charge of the volley of fire, Dave Shaver will head the Rowan County Military Councils honor detail, Kyles will give the benediction and Webb will make closing remarks.
Postlude music will be presented by Hercules Shannon of American Legion Post 107.
Boy Scouts of America and the Civil Air Patrol placed flags on the gravesites of fallen veterans at the Salisbury History Cemetery and the annex. Several groups, including the facilities management, health administration service and voluntary service at the VA Medical Center assisted with the program.
In case of inclement weather, the program will reconvene at the VA Medical Center Theatre in Building 6.
Those attending are also invited to visit the cemetery grounds.
Contact Rose Post at 704-797-4251 or rpost@salisburypost.com.