On the first Monday in October the Town of Wake Forest will join with several local veterans’ organizations to introduce a monthly observance honoring the sacrifices of deceased Wake Forest veterans and their families.
On Monday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. the town will partner with American Legion Post 187, VFW Post 8466, the Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation and Marine Corps League 1257 to honor Walter “Ervin” Cole during the 1st Wake Forest Memorial Flag-Raising Ceremony.
The public is invited to attend the service in Centennial Plaza, located in front of the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St.
Cole served his nation in the U.S. Army in World War II, and – in later years – American Legion Post 187 was named in his honor.
Several members of Cole’s family are expected to participate in the ceremony which will include patriotic songs, special remarks, a memorial wreath laying and the ceremonial flag-raising by members of the Wake Forest High School JROTC. Prior to raising the American flag, the JROTC will raise the U.S. Army service flag in recognition of the military branch in which Cole served. Both flags will fly in Centennial Plaza throughout October.
Photographs and other remembrances of Cole will be displayed in Centennial Plaza during the ceremony, then in the town hall lobby through the end of October.
The Nov. 3 flag-raising will honor Benny Jackson who served in Vietnam. The ceremony will commence with the retirement of Cole’s colors which will be presented to the Cole family by Mayor Vivian Jones.
No flag-raising ceremonies will be held from December through March. The flag raisings will resume in April 2015 and will be conducted monthly through November.
A committee comprised of representatives from American Legion Post 187, VFW Post 8466, the Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation, Marine Corps League 1257 and the Town of Wake Forest is soliciting the names of deceased Wake Forest veterans who may be honored during future flag-raising ceremonies. To be eligible for consideration, the deceased veteran must meet one of the following criteria: 1) joined active duty in Wake Forest; 2) died in Wake Forest; or 3) was a member of a Wake Forest veterans’ organization.
