HIAWASSEE, Ga. – An annual Veterans Day service was held Monday, Nov. 11, at the Towns County Veterans Park at 11 a.m. with the names of six veterans to be included on the memorial wall this year: Fronz Goring, Robert Marshall, Joyce Miller, Harold Nicholson, George Shook, and Stanley Warth.

The names of over 1,300 late veterans who have served in the United States military are inscribed on the wall of honor.

Former National Commander of the American Legion Dale Barnett, a highly decorated military officer and graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, served as the keynote speaker. Barnett engaged in combat in the Gulf War and was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. Barnett retired after 22 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Towns County High School Band

The Towns County High School Band was in attendance, performing the “Star-Spangled Banner,” patriotic melodies, and “Taps.” The Towns County Veterans Park – which is located to the school campus – was erected by the Towns County Board of Education and the Student Council, May 28, 1984.

The event was organized by VFW Post 7807 and Auxiliary, American Legion Post 23 and Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, the Marine Corps League, and Towns County.

Veterans Day is honored annually in remembrance of the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918 that signaled the end of World War I, known as Armistice Day.