By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times
The American Legion Post 138, in Olive Hill, is doing more than just bringing a mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall to Olive Hill. They’re planning a whole slate of events, for a traveling exhibition that honors veterans of every American military action since the first World War.
This includes rarely seen, but touching, rituals like the missing man ceremony and POW remembrances.
Things kick off on Thursday, September 14, when an honor guard will accompany the display from the Veteran’s Bingo Hall in Grayson to the site of the display at the American Legion Park in Olive Hill.
Volunteers will help set up the display, which will open to the public the next morning, and remain open daily from 7:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.
On Friday the space will host educational class tours for local students from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
From 3 – 5 p.m. the space will be reserved for veterans and their spouses, for quiet reflection, and will reopen to the public at 5 p.m. At 9 p.m. that evening the Legion will hold a lighting of luminaries for Carter County’s KIAs, and close the gates at 11.
On Saturday, September 16, the exhibit will be open to the public from 7:30 – 5, with an opening ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. That will be preceded by a Boy Scout flag retirement ceremony, and pre-ceremony music at 6:30. The opening ceremony will include the POW table set, presenting and posting of colors by the UK ROTC, National Anthem by Audra Foltz, an invocation from Post 138 chaplain Harry Justice, missing man ceremony from the high school ROTC, and a reading of Carter County KIAs and benediction by Justice. That will be followed by a 21 gun salute, Taps played by Greg Collinsworth, another luminary lighting, and closing.
Sunday includes a 1 p.m. wreath laying ceremony from the Morehead Legion Post 126, 6 p.m. veteran and spouse reflection time, and another luminary lighting at 9 p.m.
Monday, September 18, will feature class tours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., veterans reflection time from 6 – 7:30 p.m., missing man ceremony at 7:30 p.m., and luminary lighting at 9 p.m.
Tuesday, the final day of the exhibit, will be the only night the exhibit closes before 11 p.m.
It will start with the 8 – 3 class tours, veteran reflection time from 3 – 5, retiring of the colors at 5, and closing for the final evening at 6 p.m.
Throughout the week you’ll be able to purchase food and refreshments on site, with proceeds benefitting the American Legion. For more information, to make a donation, or to help with event sponsorship you can contact the American Legion Post 138 at (606)286-1380.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
