The Daily Record
Memorial Day Observances
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Family of local vet killed in Vietnam will receive medals.
There will be several Memorial Day observances in the area including Lillington, Angier, Benson and Spring Lake.
Lillington
The Harnett County Veterans Council will hold its annual Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at 9 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park beside the courthouse in the Harnett County Governmental Complex in Lillington.
This year’s ceremony is unique in that it will include a medal presentation to the family of Pfc. Neal Albert Denning, a U.S. Marine from Harnett County who was killed in action May 12, 1965, while serving in the Vietnam War. Pfc. Denning’s name is already included on Harnett County’s Vietnam Veterans Monument, which was unveiled last November. Pfc. Denning’s sister, Pat Denning Wells, will receive her brother’s medals.
Officials will also unveil the newest addition to Veterans Memorial Park — the Blue Star Monument, which was donated by the Four Seasons Garden Club of Lillington as a tribute to the Armed Forces of America.
Maj. Jeremy B. Durrette of the U.S. Marine Corps will be the guest speaker for the Memorial Day Ceremony, which will feature a wreath laying and the playing of Taps to memorialize area veterans.
“Memorial Day is a day when we come together to honor and remember our servicemen and women who answered America’s call to service and paid the ultimate price,” said Amy Noel, president of the Harnett County Veterans Council.
“It’s a day when our entire country should come together to stand up and say, ‘Thank you. We remember you. We are grateful to you.’” The Memorial Day Ceremony follows last year’s Veterans Day Ceremony, which saw the remains of Staff Sgt. Donald D. Stewart of Coats brought back to Harnett County after he was killed while serving in the Vietnam War.
Ms. Noel said the public awareness surrounding Staff Sgt. Stewart’s family’s efforts to positively identify his remains and have them brought back to Harnett County has led to more families coming forward to ask that the county See Memorial Day, Page 3A
The Blue Star Memorial By-Way marker the Garden Club of Lillington has contributed.
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honor their relatives who served in the military.
“We’re discovering more and more people whose names belong on our monuments and we’re doing research to confirm their service and local ties,” said Ms. Noel.
She said Harnett County Veterans Services is also preparing to complete the final phase of Veterans Memorial Park — a Memorial Walkway with pavers in honor and memory of veterans in Harnett County. Information on the cost and how to purchase pavers will be made available as the project moves forward.
Light refreshments will be served in the Harnett County Commons Area following Monday’s ceremony. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held inside the Commons Area.
For more information on the Memorial Day Ceremony or to inquire about the Veterans Memorial Walkway, contact Harnett County Veterans Services at (910) 8937574.
Angier
On Monday, the Angier American Legion will host a wreath laying ceremony in downtown Angier by the flagpole near the clock at town hall. The event will honor the area’s fallen veterans. The public is invited to attend the event at 8 a.m.
Benson
The annual Back-to-God service sponsored by Banner Post 109 American Legion and its auxiliary will be held Sunday during the 11 a.m. worship hour at Benson PFWB church located 205 E. Hill St. in Benson.
“Those attending the service should be at the church by 10:45 in order to go into the church as a group,” ccording to post Commander harles Ryals.
The purpose of the annual gathering is to:
• Raise minds and hearts to God in individual daily prayer.
• Encourage the placement of a Bible in every home.
• Make family Bible reading a part of everyday life.
• To emphasize religious training of children.
• Encourage weekly public worship of God.
Honoring Those Who Passed
The annual service is held in connection with Memorial Day and to pay tribute to the memory of those members of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary who have passed away during the past year.
Spring Lake
On Monday, Spring Lake will hold its annual Memorial Day ceremony. This year’s ceremony will include the unveiling of a Sons of Spring Lake monument to honor those native to the town who served and died in the Vietnam War.
The ceremony will be held at Veteran’s Park located at the corner of Ruth and Main streets at 10 a.m. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the recreation center gymnasium at 245 Ruth St.
