City of Florence Veterans Park Committee Announces 15th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony
For Immediate Release – November 6, 2023
City of Florence Veterans Park Committee Announces 15th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony
Media Contacts:
Amanda Pope, Marketing, Communications & Municipal Services Director - 843-665-3113 or apope@cityofflorence.com
FLORENCE, SC – The City of Florence Veterans Park Committee is excited to announce the 15th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony, which is scheduled on Saturday, November 11, 2023, 11:00am at 601 Woody Jones Blvd. The Florence Veterans Day ceremony was one of two in South Carolina that were selected as Veterans Day Regional sites for 2023.
For the first time, attendees will enjoy a live performance from the 246th Army Band (aka Palmetto State Band) South Carolina National Guard, which has a rich history of supporting our state and nation dating back to World War II. The band will begin performing patriotic music around 10:40am.
This year’s Keynote Speaker is Brigadier General David M. Jenkins. BG Jenkins is a native of South Carolina who graduated from SC State University and currently serves as the Assistant Adjutant General of the SC Army National Guard. In his civilian career, BG Jenkins is Senior Director of Strategic Operations and Technical Delivery at Lexmark International in Lexington, Kentucky.
The program will include the unveiling of a monument dedicated to the men and women of the Army Air Corps and Army Air Forces, forerunners of the US Air Force and the US Space Force. The statue will depict a lone airman gazing skyward in search of the North Star, a beacon to safely return. Names of veterans with Pee Dee Connections will also be added to the Wall of Honor at the park, followed by the Veterans Honor Guard performing a Rifle Salute and Taps.
City Manager Randall S. Osterman stated that “he commends the Florence Veterans Park Committee for their efforts in raising funds toward additional monuments that accentuate the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women of the nation’s armed services, as well as the Committee’s continued commitment to organize an exceptional Veterans Day Ceremony each year to honor our Veterans.”
The public is invited to attend and help us honor our veterans. Seating is limited, so attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move inside to the Florence Center.
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