Patriotic music and inspirational message at Veterans Day events

Gilmer County veterans were treated to breakfast, lunch and dinner by local community service groups last week. First, the Gilmer County Rotary Club held its Veterans Appreciation Dinner at First Baptist Church Thursday, Nov. 10. The event featured guest speaker Mark Millican, author of the book “Some Gave All,”  and placement of colors by the North Georgia Honor Guard. On Veterans Day, the Ellijay Lions Club served a complimentary breakfast to veterans at First United Methodist Church. The Lions Club also hosted a complimentary lunch at the Lions Barn, which followed a community Veterans Day program at the Gilmer High School Gym.

Two Gilmer County schools hosted community Veterans Day programs last Friday. The program at Gilmer High School (which was moved from the downtown square due to rain) featured patriotic music from the GHS Marching Band, GHS and Ellijay Elementary School Choruses and singers from First Baptist Church, as well as a wreath laying ceremony by the Knights of Columbus. The program’s guest speaker was U.S. Marines veteran and Times-Courier columnist Mark Millican. At Clear Creek Middle School, students and their family members also enjoyed a patriotic program, which featured music from the CCMS Band and Chorus, a special video tribute to veterans and guest speaker, U.S. Navy veteran David Henseler.