Veterans Day

MOULTRIE, Ga. — The Colquitt County community will come together at 11 a.m. Monday for the annual Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony on the Courthouse Square.

Local veterans groups host the ceremony on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month each year — the time and date at which the Armistice ending World War I was signed in 1918. That event was commemorated as Armistice Day until after World War II, when it was changed to Veterans Day to honor veterans of all of America’s wars.

The history of Veterans Day will be recounted during the annual observance, and patriotic music will be performed. Other dignitaries may speak as well. Small American flags will be provided to participants.

Meanwhile, The Observer and at least three other Moultrie businesses are providing special services to veterans.

The Moultrie Observer’s annual salute to veterans is a special section inserted in today’s issue of the newspaper. It lists the names of veterans from Colquitt County, living and deceased.

Tips and Tangles hair salon, 1612 First Ave. S.E., will provide veterans with free haircuts on Monday.

Owner Rhonda Krizan said the idea came to her because of her family connection with the military. Her father was in the Army for 26 years, and her brother served for many years as well.

“It’s just something that’s close to my heart,” Krizan said.

Huddle House in Moultrie is one of many restaurants in the chain offering a free order of “Sweet Cakes” pancakes to all active duty, retired and veteran military members Friday through Monday.

The restaurant is located at 401 Veterans Parkway South.

“To show respect and express our thanks for our nation’s active duty, retired and veteran military members, many of whom have put their lives on the line to protect our country, we believe that an order of our thick, fluffy Sweet Cakes pancakes is a nice way to share a token of appreciation and thank them for their service,” a Huddle House spokesman said in a press release.

To get the free pancakes, just show a valid military ID.

National Beef Packing Company will recognize its employees who have served in the military by making a $50 donation in honor of each of them to Mission 22, an organization working to end veteran suicide through awareness and treatment.

National Beef has a longstanding commitment to veterans’ support initiatives, according to a press release from the company. This year’s observance will take place in 12 cities, building on what was originally proposed as a local effort at National Beef’s Hummels Wharf, Pa., facility and adopted across the entire company in 2018.

“As a National Beef employee and combat veteran, it’s rewarding to work for a company that understands the issues faced by fellow service members,” said Ward Allen, Jr., a Marine Corps veteran with three military tours and a supervisor at National Beef Leathers in St. Joseph, Mo. “The recognition of the service of National Beef employees who’ve served our country, as well as the donation to the important work of Mission 22, brings awareness to an important cause. I hope it also reduces stigma and encourages more treatment for those in need.”

“What started as a way to recognize employees who not only serve our company, but also our country, has become something that allows National Beef and the communities we call home to rally around a cause,” said Terry Wilkerson, himself a former Army Sergeant and now executive vice president of operations for National Beef. “It’s been rewarding to see the anticipation for this year’s event as we celebrate and appreciate these employees and their fellow service members.”

“National Beef continues to be a supportive partner, providing a life-saving gift of more than $13,000 to the men and women served by Mission 22,” said Diane McCall, public relations director for Mission 22. “Post-traumatic stress treatment is a huge need for veterans, and the donation from National Beef in honor of its employees helps us meet that need.”

National Beef will also present its military veteran employees with a commemorative Mission 22 coffee mug and fly a Mission 22 flag on Veterans Day as a token of gratitude for their service to the country and commitment to National Beef, the press release said.