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Polk County, North Carolina

 

Memorial Day Weekend Activities

Schedule of events

 

Friday, May 27: American Legion Post 250 and Auxiliary members will distribute small paper poppies at several local businesses. Donations are welcome. All donations received will be used to benefit local Veterans.

Saturday, May 28 at 9:00 am: Members of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 9116 and Auxiliary will meet to place an American Flag at the grave of each Veteran interred at Polk Memorial Garden Cemetery in Columbus, NC. The Veterans group welcomes other local groups and individuals who want to participate in this activity.

Approximately 11:00 am: the VFW Post 9116 and Auxiliary members will travel to Saluda, NC and place an American Flag on the grave of each Veteran interred at the Saluda Cemetery and the Freedom Baptist Church Cemetery in Saluda, NC. All are welcome to come and attend this ceremony.

Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day) at 10:00 am: Memorial Day Ceremonies will be conducted at Polk Memorial Gardens by members of the VFW Post 9116 and Auxiliary, the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard, and McFarland Funeral Home and Crematory. Guest speaker is David Fleming, US Navy Veteran and member of the American Legion Post 250, VFW Post 9116 and Polk County Memorial Honor Guard. Anita Williamson will sign the National Anthem. All are welcome to come and attend this ceremony.

At 11:00 am: the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard will dedicate the new Flag Pole at the McFarland Funeral Home and Crematory. All are welcome to come and attend this ceremony.

At 3:30 pm:  Memorial Day Ceremonies will be conducted at the Saluda Veterans Park by members of the VFW Post 9116 and Auxiliary and the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard.  All are welcome to come and attend this ceremony.

The Polk County VFW Post 9116 officers and Auxiliary officers, along with the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard will conclude each Memorial Day Ceremony with the laying of a wreath and flowers whose colors have special meanings for this Day. This will be followed with the presentation of a small American Flag, a 3-round volley Gun Salute and the playing of Taps.

Please join us and help fulfill the commitment to remember and honor those men and women who served so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.

 

Attention Veterans

No Special Announcements at this time

Web Site updated on May 19th, 2022

 

 

Follow us on FACE BOOK

The following are the Face Book Pages for the various Veterans Groups
that are found in Polk County NC. You can connect to all of the pages
and follow all of the veterans activities in Polk County NC.  Or you may
visit their web page further down for more information.

For VFW Post 9116 in Columbus NC
https://www.facebook.com/VeteransofForeignWarsPost9116andAuxiliary

For the Veterans Memorial Park in Columbus NC
https://www.facebook.com/VeteransParkWarMemorials

The Polk County NC Memorial Honor Guard
https://www.facebook.com/VFWAmericanLegion

The American Legion Post 250, Tryon NC
https://www.facebook.com/NCPost250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Two Military Service Posts in Polk County NC

 


Arlington Nation Cemetery

 

 


The Very First Vietnam Veterans
 National Memorial

Constructed between 1968 ~ 1971
Started During  the 1968 TET Offensive.
Angel Fire    New Mexico
 A 35 minute video.

Click here to view the history and the video

 

 





History of Bryant Homer Womack.
Polk County's Medal of Honor Recipient.
The Korean War Conflict.
Includes a special video.

The Womack Page

 





The Veterans Park
Columbus, North Carolina



Below are pictures of the festivities
at the Veterans Park and the Parades
plus history of the Veterans Park
in Columbus, NC.

2002 History of the Veterans Park
This is from the Tryon Daily Bulletin - Nov. 8, 2002
 - in a scanned PDF format.

2002 History of the Polk County Veterans
This was a listing of all of the Veterans
that were living in this area during this time.
From the Tryon Daily Bulletin
A Special Veterans Pullout Section - Nov. 8, 2002
 - in a scanned PDF format.

2011 ~ Festivities at the Veterans Park
 and the Dedication of the House of Flags

2012 ~ Festivities at the Veterans Park
2013 ~ Veterans Day Parade

2015 ~ Veterans Day Parade
2016 ~ A Eagle Scout Project to put a roof
 on the Pavilion at the Veterans Park.

2016 ~ Veterans Day Parade
2017~  Veterans Day Parade
and a Presentation in Columbus, NC

2019 ~ Memorial Day at the Veterans Park

 2019 ~ Dedication of the Charters Of Freedom
at the Veterans Park in Columbus, NC

2019 ~ Veterans Day Parade in Columbus, NC
Plus photos at the Veterans Park and Saluda, NC

2020 ~ The Veterans Park War Memorials
showing the progress that has been made to date.
This page has been updated on 6-30-21.

2020 ~ Veterans Day showing activities in both
Polk County NC Veterans Park and Saluda NC

2021 Veterans Day Parade in Columbus NC

2021 Honor Guard Firing Salute and Taps
at the Veterans Memorial Park. 
Sorry for the fuzzy picture but it was poring down
rain the hole time this took place.
To view the video click on this link:
Honor Guard Salute

 



Polk County Memorial Honor Guard

Pictures of the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard plus
requirements to become a member of the Honor Guard.
Polk County Memorial Honor Guard



Polk County Honor Guard had a little help from the Patriot Riders when they were at Black Mountain NC State Veterans Cemetery.






Flag Pool finally installed in front of the
American Legion Post 250, Tryon, NC
These are all of the various Veterans Posts located through out this area.
American Legion National
Headquarter
 Web Page 		V.F.W. National Headquarters
Web Page
NC State American Legion HQ
Web Page		 NC State V.F.W HQ.
Web Page
The American Legion is open to ANY Veteran that has served in any branch of the military and has a honorable discharge.  The Legion offers assistance and / or guidance to any Veteran in need or has to deal with the VA. The V.F.W. page has a list of military awards / ribbons that will indicate if you qualify for membership.  Please click on any link below and check to see if you  have earned one of the awards / ribbons. Please keep in mind that these are all combat zones in all years.
American Legion
Post #250
Tryon, NC
American Legion
Post #28
Spartanburg, SC
American Legion
Post #77
Hendersonville, NC
Requires a Facebook Account
American Legion
Post #74
Forest City, NC
Requires a Facebook Account
V.F.W.
Post #9116
Columbus, NC

V.F.W.
Post 10349
Mill Spring, NC
This site has been archived
for its history.

 V.F.W.
Post #4873
Landrum, SC
Post #4873 was merged with
Post #11252 in Chesnee SC in the spring of 2012.

DAV National Headquarters

D.A.V. Chapters are located in Hendersonville and Asheville NC.

Please Note: The Asheville DAV Chapter #2 has a office downtown but does not currently have a web page.  They hold their meetings the first Tuesday of each month in the Multi Purpose room of the VA Medical Center lower level starting at 1900 hrs. Sign in with campus police and they will direct you to the proper parking area.

D.A.V. Chapter #14
Hendersonville and Asheville NC State Page

DAV14.org local web page

The Hendersonville and Asheville Chapters have merged into one large chapter.  The DAV meets at the American Legion Hall Post 77 in Hendersonville NC. You pay for your own meal at the Post. They have a full kitchen and serve 3 meals a day. Please refer to web page for meeting dates and times.  

NC State V.V.A. HQ

V.V.A. Chapter #1049
Spartanburg SC

The contact person for this post is Larry Miller at 864-663-9482. This post holds their meeting on the 2nd Saturday at 0830 hrs. at the American Legion in Spartanburg SC  This meeting includes a breakfast with a RSVP required. No Web Page
at this time but they have a face book page only.
Contact via email is via vvachapter1049@yahoo.com.

 V.V.A. Chapter #124
Asheville NC

This chapter meets at the Charles George VA Hospital in the multi purpose room in the basement level of the VA Hospital at 1800 hrs. The meeting are normally held on the 3rd Tuesday each month. No web page at this time.

I have no current contact information at this time.

 







The History of TAPs

This is quite a telling story from the Civil War Era when this music was composed. This also includes the words which most people do not know exist.


The House of Flags
located in Columbus, North Carolina

This museum display more than 300 flags that represent
our country from its earliest days through today.
 
For more information and / or to schedule group tours contact them at: www.houseofflags.org or call 828-894-5640 for more information.
  


The Above and Beyond Memorial

58,000+ Dog Tags for KIA's / MIA's.
The National Veterans Art Museum of Chicago, IL.

Vietnam Era ROMAD / FAC / TAC-P / J-TAC  Web Page
The Forward Air Controller and Radio Operator in the Vietnam Era



693rd Radar Squadron (AC&W ~ ADC)
Home Land Defense ~ Dauphin Island AL



KWVA Chapter 314

 Korean War / Korean Defense Ribbons

The Korean war was over in 1954 but the Current USA Military Korean Defense is still on going and it does not have an end date yet insight. 

IF you were stationed at any time in South Korea as PCS for 30 days or more then you are qualified to have this Ribbon for the Korean Defense and thus you are eligible for being a member of this veterans group.

Please note that this ribbon - center above - is a Expeditionary Ribbon issued to all Korean Veterans of the actual Korean War.



 Korean War Veterans Association, Chapter 314 of Western North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, and Eastern Tennessee.


To become a member of this Korean Veterans Association please go to this link and fill out the form on line then either submit it on line or you may mail with your check to the address provided. 

This is the main KWVA National Headquarters website.

Application to Join the KWVA

Hendersonville Chapter 314 Web Page

 Hendersonville Chapter 314 Facebook Page
Remember that "Freedom is Not Free"

Video  "Korean War Veterans in Their Own Words"
http://youtu.be/tOAmfvMbxUg



Below are some useful resource links for those Veterans that need this information.
 Veterans Resources


What is a Typical Recruit

A Tribute To Our Troops
and a prayer for them. 

What Is A Vet 

Wife Of A Vet 

A Bit Of History

Just take a moment. Have you ever wondered what happened
to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? 

Please do not forget the
POW & MIA's

To Look Up A Loved Ones' Name And / Or
The Name Placement On The Vietnam Memorial Wall
Please visit this link:  http://thewall-usa.com/
 

This link will take you to the National Parks
Information Center for the Vietnam National Memorial.

http://www.nps.gov/vive/
 

The Wall's Stories and links

http://www.vietvet.org/thewall.htm