The Veterans Day National Committee of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has selected the Town of Columbus as a 2014 Veterans Day Regional Site. This designation recognizes those Veterans Day observances throughout the United States that are a fitting tribute to America’s heroes. The site selections also serve as models for other communities to follow in planning their own observances.
“This is a significant honor when you realize there were only 62 Regional Sites selected from throughout the nation”, said Frank Ortiz, Co-Chair of the group planning the Veterans Day parade. This is the second time this area has been recognized by the VA for our Veterans Day activities”, he added. “First was Polk County, now it’s the Town of Columbus”, he said.
Because of Columbus’ selection, The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Robert McDonald” will request N.C. Governor Pat McCrory to support the town’s Veterans Day activities. He will also request that the Department of Defense support the town by appointing military liaison officers, if available, to coordinate assistance from the Armed Forces.
Two patriotic events will take place in Columbus on Veterans Day, November 11. First, there will be a parade through town beginning at 10 a.m. and then there will be a Memorial Service conducted immediately following the parade at the Polk Count Veterans Memorial Park.
More information about the events can be found on Facebook at 2014 Patriots Salute to Veterans Parade.

– article submitted
by Otis Livingston