Veterans Day 2024 in Ellijay

Veterans Day keynote speaker Niki Melendez was deployed during the War on Terror, and received a battlefield promotion to staff sergeant before leaving the U.S. Army in 2015. Her husband Sam Melendez was an Army Ranger during the war; the couple are still involved with the Shelter Dogs for Veterans organization in Talking Rock.

Sam Burrell, standing at left in light blue Air Force shirt, gives the good news to veterans, their spouses and others at the free breakfast on Veterans Day hosted annually by Ellijay First UMC. Early morning rain was slacking off, and the Lions Club parade and ceremony on the square would not have to be moved indoors.

The Ellijay Elementary Chorus, under the direction of Katy Mayfield, warms up the crowd before the Veterans Day parade begins on Monday. They also performed during the ceremony, as did the Gilmer High School Chorus with Camden Pruitt directing.

Everyone loves a marching band, and Gilmer High’s musicians did not disappoint during Veterans Day ceremonies. They also performed a “Salute to the Armed Forces” using each branch’s theme song. In the background are enthusiastic fifth graders of the county school system, who began to clap in rhythm with the drums as the band approached the square.

The Pleasant Grove Men’s Quartet rendered a patriotic song at Veterans Day festivities on the square. From left are Scott Adamavage, Loy Jarrett, Doug Lee and Charles Moody. A former pastor of the Baptist church and Vietnam veteran, Rubin Smith, gave an invocation.

Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshal Niki Melendez (in red car) waves to enthusiastic fifth graders as the parade processional reaches the square.

Samuel and Nikisha Melendez were featured in Apple Capital 2024, a magazine of the Times-Courier newspaper in Ellijay, in a story about Shelter Dogs for Veterans. Here they are pictured at the annual free Veterans Day breakfast sponsored by Ellijay First UMC. Nikisha was the Grand Marshal of the parade and also the keynote speaker. Their shelter dog Loki is in training.