News

VETERANS DAY: Free ride, free lunch, Vietnam Wall

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 10, 2023

In recognition of their service, military veterans are invited to ride in antique and classic cars, trucks, jeeps and military vehicles to Veterans Day services at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Saturday, Nov. 11.

In other Veterans Day events, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be at the Veterans Healing Farm Nov. 8-12, veterans and their families can hear an update on the Veterans Wall of Honor, veterans get a free drive-thru carwash at Autobell and veterans and their families can hear about the new Wall of Honor.

Free ride, free lunch

Vehicles will assemble at the American Legion Post 77 on Washington Street at 9 a.m. A Sheriff’s Office escort will lead the veterans caravan to the park at 9:30 a.m. Please be sure to arrive at the legion post by 9 a.m. U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards will be on hand to ride with the veterans caravan.
From 10 to 11 a.m., WTZQ radio will interview veterans live on the air. This is an opportunity for veterans to share the story of their service. Following the Veterans Day service, which begins at 11 a.m., a lunch will be provided at Forest Lawn.
The Transylvania Cruisers Car Club invites all owners of classic and antique cars, trucks, jeeps and military vehicles to participate in honoring veterans. For more information, contact Bruce Hatfield at 828-329-4971 noirs@aol.com.
The treaty that ended World War took effect at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Between WWI and WWII Nov. 11 was as commemorated as Armistice Day in the United States, Great Britain and France. After World War II, the holiday was recognized as a day of tribute honoring veterans of both wars and in 1954 was renamed Veterans Day.

Traveling Memorial Wall 

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be on display at the Veterans Healing Farm, 38 Yale Road, in Horse Shoe, Nov. 8-12.
And to honor and thank U.S. military personnel, Autobell Car Wash will offer all veterans and active-duty service members a free Ride-Thru Exterior wash, or an equivalent credit toward another wash option, at all Autobell locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland on Veterans Day. No coupon, barcode or ID is required.
“On Veterans Day and every day, we thank and support those who have served our country,” Autobell President Carl Howard said. “We want them to know that their commitment and sacrifices are recognized and greatly appreciated.”

Learn about the Wall of Honor

Bob Johnson, a retired U.S. Army major and member of Hedrick-Rhodes VFW Post 5206, will provide an informational talk about the Henderson County Wall of Honor program at 2 p.m. on Veterans Day in Kaplan Auditorium at the public library, 301 N. Washington St.
The Wall of Honor is a program in which all Henderson County veterans who participate will have their ribbons and badges placed in 8X10-inch shadow boxes and permanently displayed at the VFW post at Five Points. The Wall of Honor program is for all honorably discharged veterans who served in war and peace time. Family members can sponsor deceased veterans.
A veteran of the war in Afghanistan and trustee of the local VFW post, Johnson has spearheaded the Wall of Honor, which will go up in the post home when renovation is completed next summer. He will explain how veterans and their families can obtain the Department of Defense documents needed for the shadow boxes and other details. For more information, email Post5206@vfwnc.com.

Recycling center closed Friday, open Saturday

Garbage, recycling, brush or leaf collection for Hendersonville city customers will not take place on Friday, Nov. 10, due to the Veterans Day holiday. Collection for Friday customers will be delayed by one week with collection resuming on Friday, Nov. 17. Any extra bagged garbage will be picked up on Nov. 17.
Henderson County local government offices and agencies, the transfer station and recycling center will be closed Friday, Nov. 10, and open on Saturday, Nov. 11. The public library and its branches and the Historic Courthouse also will be closed on Friday, Nov. 10. Henderson County Animal Services will be closed on Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 11.

Women talk about their military service

AAUW invites the public to the program “Honoring Our Veterans” at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Art Place, 2021 Asheville Highway.

Three women who served in the military will talk about what attracted them to service in the armed forces, their experience, transition to civilian life and their lives now. The three panel members are Myrl Jean Hughes, U.S. Army; Kiesha Lewis, U.S. Air Force; and Alyce Knaflich, U.S. Army. The program will also focus on the needs of and resources available to veterans in the area.

There is no charge for the event but due to limited space, seats must be reserved by Nov. 12 at ssmreb@bellsouth.net. Lunch is also available. For more information visit hendersonville-nc.aauw.net/