Western North Carolina residents have two opportunities to observe Memorial Day on May 29.
There will be a ceremony at the Western North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain at 10 am and at the Roger McGuire Green (Pack Square) in Asheville at 2 pm.
Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Walter E. Gaskin will be the keynote speaker at both events. Gaskin is the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Ms. Stephanie Young, Western North Carolina VA Health Care System Executive Director, will also deliver remarks.
The ceremonies will also include a reading from the Brothers and Sisters Like These Veteran Writing Group, Air Force Vietnam Veteran Jim Hernandez (1968-1969, Pilot), and a 13 Folds-Flag Folding Ceremony presented by Army Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart recipient Spider Trantham.