SELMA – “For God and Country is the motto of the national American Legion organization founded in 1919, and Selma’s Thomas R. Mackin Post 20 has the honor once again of sponsoring this year’s Veterans Day celebration that will take place at Memorial Stadium on Monday at 11 a.m.

We urge you to come early in the company of family and friends to enjoy the exciting patriotic music and wonderful We urge you to come early in the company of family and friends to enjoy the exciting patriotic music and the wonderful camaraderie that always takes place when military veterans and fellow patriots get together at what I consider America’s most important military holiday.

Some say that last year’s Veteran’s Day was the best attended in their memory, and we expect this year’s event to attract another record crowd. Veteran Post 20 Legionnaire Jesse Sanchez is in charge of organizing this year’s celebration again, and you can count on a most entertaining and interesting program. Details of this year’s upcoming November 11 Veteran’s Day are as follows:

Before the official program begins at 11:00 am, the Selma High and Morgan Academy bands will be performing, along with appearances by both the Selma High and Southside High ROTC units.

Brief welcoming remarks will be made by the Post 20 commander, who will introduce Master of Ceremonies former Probate Judge Johnny Jones. Posting of the colors will be performed by members of the Alabama Army National Guard, and the National Anthem will be sung by the Southside High School choir.

The keynote speaker this year will be the highly decorated combat military veteran, Colonel John Gibler, who is the current director of the Alabama Hall of Honor located on the campus of Marion Military Institute.

Following Colonel Giblers’ address will be a performance by the Selma High ROTC drill team, the Placement of Memorial Wreaths at the Stadium monuments, and a flag folding ceremony by the Southside High ROTC.

The commander of the Honor Guard will retire the colors, and former Post 20 commander Sanchez will close the program with a history of “Taps.”

This a very important reminder: the Selma Rotary Club will once again be serving their complementary, delicious Hot Dog Luncheon at the conclusion of the program. This is a most gracious and generous gesture on the part of Selma Rotary. Thank You, Rotarians!

Again, November 11 is the day that we honor every American, both deceased and living, who has ever served in any branch of our country’s military. We are expecting a great turnout, and we look forward to seeing you at Memorial Stadium!