The fourth annual Veterans Salute is on the horizon, and the Hinesville Military Affairs Committee is busy finalizing plans.
The Nov. 5 Salute will include live entertainment, including a battle of the bands, food and drink booths, craft vendors, cornhole, a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, a motorcycle show with prizes. The festival runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Bryant Commons, 438 West Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville. Admission and parking are free. Proceeds from the vendor fees, raffle tickets and other activities will go to the construction of Veterans Memorial Walk at Bryant Commons.
Once completed, the monument will consist of an outer walking path that encircles a pond. Tributes to each branch of service — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard — will be spaced along the path. Flags from each branch and the American flag will be displayed at the entrance. A tribute to prisoners of war and those missing in action will provide the memorial’s centerpiece in the pond. The 92nd Engineer Battalion has pledged a considerable amount of in-kind work and has taken the lead on the first phase of construction.
"We’re excited to see construction of the Veterans Memorial Walk at Bryant Commons under way," project co-chair George Holtzman said. "Many people have worked hard for a long time to see this project come to fruition. It’s a fantastic way to honor our community’s military veterans, and we’re grateful to all of our generous donors, planners and supporters."
Booth spaces are still available, according to vendor coordinator Melinda Schneider. Anyone interested in selling goods and merchandise at the Salute should email her yellowbowlady@coastalnow.net or call 912-271-1702. Those interested in performing should call entertainment coordinator Karen Bell at 912-492-6401 or email kbellshape@gmail.com.
The motorcycle show, an addition to the lineup this year, will award prizes in nine categories: best of show, best cruiser, best sport bike, best custom paint, best light display, mayor’s award, general’s award, sponsor’s award and the most well-represented bike club. On-site registration is $20, and all proceeds benefit the Veterans Memorial Walk. The show is sponsored by Savannah PowerSports Center. To register, call Christina Anthony of United Military Care at 912-877-1340 or email christina.anthony@unitedmilitarycare.org.
For more information on the Memorial, go to www.veteransmemorialhinesville.com. For more information on the fourth annual Salute, call the HDDA at 912-877-4332 or email mricketson@hinesvilledowntown.com.