Events for veterans being hosted by local VFW posts throughout Memorial Day weekend
The two Veterans of Foreign Wars posts in St. Francis County, Post 2869 and Post 12089, each have plans to honor veterans over the Memorial Day weekend.
Post 12089 will host its second annual cook-out for veterans and their families on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“This is the second year for our Memorial Day Cookout,” said Post Commander James Cottrell. “It will be held here at the post on South Washington and is sponsored by All Veterans Empowerment Services (AVES).”
Cottrell said the meal is free. “You don’t have to bring anything but yourself. We invite all veterans to join us on Friday.”
For more information, call Post 12089 at 494-3005.
Post 2869 will be placing flags at the gravesites of area veterans on Saturday, May 26. According to Ed Chauvin, VFW Post 2869 Service Commander, volunteers are needed for the effort.
“We have about 500 flags to put out on veterans’ graves at Forrest Park Cemetery,” said Chauvin. “We need volunteers to help us. We have three other cemeteries that we also cover, but the Kem Merrell family and the Wade Pipkin family volunteer to do Mount Vernon and Forrest City cemeteries. Boy Scout Troop #202 does Hughes Cemetery. Our Post does Forrest Park.”
Chauvin said those interested in volunteering at Forrest Park need to stop by the cemetery at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
“We also ask them, if they can, to bring a screwdriver or something else to make a hole in the ground for the flag poles,” Chauvin said. “The ground is pretty hard right now because we haven’t had much rain. The Post members will guide the volunteers to where they need to go. We also need volunteers to pick the flags back up on Monday afternoon.”
Monday, May 28, is Memorial Day, and Chauvin said Post 2869 will continue its tradition of hosting a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at the Forrest City Civic Center.
“On Monday at 11 a.m., we will have out annual service,” Chauvin said. “We hold the service to remember all of our veterans and those who are currently serving.
“We invite all of our area veterans to join us on Monday at the Civic Center,” said Chauvin.
