Staff report
Veterans from a half-dozen of our nation’s wars gathered Tuesday for a day of celebration and memories.
Don Webb, president of the Rowan County Veterans Council called the 2008 Veterans Day one of the best in many years.
Webb credited the renewed national interest in our veterans as a major factor.
More than 1,000 veterans and family members participated in the various events, including a program at the Hefner VA Medical Center and an afternoon parade through downtown Salisbury.
The day began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Old National Cemetery.
Among the participants were Dave Shaver, David Hamby, Roy Marsh, Buddy Kyles and Homer Robinson.
Among the speakers at the VA Medical Center, Capt. Ronnie Smith recalled his experiences flying missions in Vietnam.
Other speakers talked about their efforts to help veterans of past and current wars.
While area veterans have organized to stop proposed changes at the VA Medical Center, Webb said the focus Tuesday was on service and getting together with friends and telling war stories.