Two Memorial Day events scheduled in Henderson
Douglas White
Henderson Gleaner USA TODAY NETWORK
HENDERSON – Two big local events are planned to honor Memorial Day 2018 an observance in Henderson’s Central Park among the thousands of white crosses, and a stirring concert by the 100th Army Band from Fort Knox at the Preston Arts Center.
Military band concert
The show at the Preston Arts Center, on the campus of Henderson Community College, takes place Saturday evening at 7 p.m.
The patriotic concert features the 100th Army Band from Fort Knox, Ky.
According to Wikipedia, Since 2012, performance requests have taken the band’s various ensembles across Kentucky and across the nation into other states including Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Florida, South Carolina, Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, and Hawaii.
The Henderson concert is supported in part by grants from Independence Bank and the Sandy Lee Songfest. It’s free and open to the public.
Tickets can be reserved at https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/memorial-dayconcert- tickets-44766249056
Memorial Day in Central Park
Monday at 10 a.m. in Central Park, among the more than 5,300 white crosses that have been erected to honor specific veterans with ties to Henderson County, a Memorial Day service will be held.
Ken Christopher, one of the organizers with the Henderson War Memorial Foundation, said it’s a heart-touching ceremony that draws more than 1,000 people.
The special speaker at this year’s event is Colonel Walt Shumway, U.S. Army (Retired).
Shumway is a resident of Georgia who has ties to this area. He’s a veteran of 32 years in the Army, including three combat tours divided between Vietnam and the Dominican Republic.
Along with his talk, Christopher said there will be the presentation of colors, music from the Henderson County High School band, a benediction, a rifle volley by the American Legion Honor Guard, and of course, playing of Taps.
Guitarist Keith Vincent and vocalist Leslie Hoskins will also perform.
All that will take place with the backdrop of those thousands of white crosses in perfect rows in the park — each decorated with flowers and a flag and inscribed with the name of a veteran.
I don’t know that anybody else in the country does that, said Christopher. It’s a monumental task that’s undertaken by the American Legion and the War Memorial Foundation. A lot of people put a lot of time in the ceremonies and the placement of those crosses.
South Middle School is the rain site for the Memorial Day service.
