VFW Post 5225 hosts a Salute to our local Veterans

VFW Post 5225 hosts a Salute to our local Veterans

Photos by John Rech

Area veterans gathered at the VFW post on Avalon saluted the flag to open the eleventh hour Veterans Day ceremonies. Post Commander Elvin Tate greeted guests and provided a history of Veterans Day. West Memphis Fire Department Chief Wayne Gately sang ‘I’m Proud to Be an American’ along with the Academies of West Memphis band. Cathy Williams directed the band for the National Anthem and then for the chief and concluded with a request from the audience for Soul Man delighting the crowd of 90 on hand. Afterwards veterans grouped together for photos to mark their attendance at the 2016 ceremonies. A pair of WW II (below left) vets shook hands and flanked Old Glory. Korean War veterans (below right) surrounded the standard. Viet Nam era veterans (top right) took a turn and gathered around the flag. Gulf War (top left) and Grenada Veterans (below center) paused for a photo too.