Published: Friday, November 05, 2010, 7:50 AM
FAIRHOPE, Alabama -- From living history to a plethora of parades, many activities are set around the area in the days leading up to the Thursday’s Veterans Day observance to recognize those who have served the country.
In Fairhope, the city’s annual parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday and will begin and end at the Fairhope Civic Center. Dale A. Crittenden, the city’s Veteran of the Year, will lead the procession.
"We are fortunate in Fairhope to have many veterans who have valiantly served our country," said Mayor Tim Kant. "It is always a challenge to pick just one to honor, but we are happy to recognize Mr. Crittenden this year."
A committee made up of past veterans of the year selected Crittenden. A Michigan native, he moved to Fairhope in the early 1970s and formed Crittenden Enterprises, a real estate and construction company.
At age 18, Crittenden enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Dec. 2, 1941, five days before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
He remained in the Navy until October 1945 and attained the rank of petty officer first class. During that time, he spent 17 months of combat at sea in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, taking part in the invasion of Africa, Saipan, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, ending the war at the peace signing in Tokyo Bay. For his service, Crittenden received the Third Fleet Citation with one star, Asiatic-Pacific Theater with eight battle stars, and the Philippines Liberation Medal with two battle stars.
Other festivities around the region are as follows:
TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY, NOV. 5-7
- The Bon Secour Chapter of the American Revolution will honor World War II veterans at its "Living History Tent," during Heritage Harbor Days today through Sunday at Heritage Park in Foley. The presentation will include video documentaries and WWII memorabilia. For more information, call Marilyn Vishaway at 251-978-2072; or Theresa Wood at 251-948-5200.
SUNDAY, NOV. 7?
- A Veterans Recognition Ceremony is scheduled at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7 as part of the Heritage Harbor Days Festival in Foley. The ceremony, set for the Main Stage of the festival, will include representatives from many veteran organizations, including the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. John Roberts, National Service Director for the Wounded Warrior Project, will be the guest speaker.
TUESDAY, NOV. 9
- Covenant Hospice will be hosting a special Veterans Recognition Celebration at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the James P. Nix Center, at 1 Bayou Drive in Fairhope. Joe Birindelli with the Fairhope Veterans Memorial Committee will discuss the Fairhope Veterans Memorial, "Tears of Sorrow, Tears of Joy." Covenant will recognize veterans in attendance by presenting them with a certificate of appreciation and a lapel pin. For more information on the free event, contact Christy Kelley at 251-626-5255 or to learn more about the Fairhope Veterans Memorial visit www.fairhopeveteransmemorial.org
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 10
- A special art exhibition honoring veterans will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 on the campus of the United States Sports Academy in Daphne. The exhibit, "A Warrior’s Sketchbook," will feature work by sculptor Harry Weber, the 2011 American Sport Art Museum and Archives’ Sport Artist of the Year. In recognition of the academy’s dedication to educating the nation’s wounded warriors, Weber presented the academy with "Wounded Warrior," a bronze statue of a soldier holding up an American flag. Sketches depicting scenes from World War II, the Korean War, Desert Storm, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will be donated to ASAMA for sale. Proceeds will benefit to the Academy’s Wounded Warrior scholarship program for those injured in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The museum is free and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 251-626-3303 or visit www.ussa.edu.
THURSDAY, NOV. 11
- Veterans Day observances in Bay Minette will begin at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11 with a breakfast at the Bay Minette Civic Center. A parade will hit the streets 10:15 a.m., beginning at Bay Minette Intermediate School and ending at the eternal flame on Courthouse Square, where a special ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. A program at the Korean War Memorial will follow on the front lawn of the Bay Minette Public Library. The events are sponsored by the city of Bay Minette and the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.
- The public is invited to an outdoor program at the William F. Green Veterans Home in Bay Minette at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. The event will feature guest speaker retired Col. Glenn Frazier, a survivor of the Bataan Death March during World War II. There will be a presentation of a wreath in honor of veterans who died this year. Also, veterans involved in the program will receive a certificate and a pin. For more information, call 251-937-9881.
- Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapters 701 and 864, will conduct a brief sunrise flag-raising ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 11 at the Lower Alabama Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Battleship Park at 6 a.m. For more information, call Joe Birindelli at 251-928-3292.
- Gulf Shores American Legion Post 44 will mark Veterans Day with a special salute and toast at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11 to honor the historical significance marking the time the guns fell silent in World War I in 1918.
- The city of Daphne will host a ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11 at City Hall. Sen. Jeff Sessions will join two local veterans as the guest speakers.
- Alabama’s 22 state parks will waive park entrance fees on Thursday, Nov. 11 for veterans in recognition of their military service. No identification will be required. For more information, visit www.alapark.com.
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