Other needs for funding include: help in promoting the parade; help in paying for the transportation of disabled vets to and from the events; and, providing a small stipend to ROTC units and high school bands for their participation. The costs for these efforts will run about $5,000.

Several local businesses, such as Tryon Estates and The Pine Crest Inn, have already offered their services to support the Veterans Day activities. Many of the Veterans Day volunteers and several local individuals have personally contributed out-of-pocket money to get the Veterans Day events up and running.

Now the association must seek financial help from patriotic benefactors from throughout the community. Should they desire, commercial benefactors will be offered special advertising opportunities and individual donors will be honored and recognized as well, if they desire.

Contributions may be made by check payable to “The Patriots Salute to Veterans Association, Inc.”, P. O. Box 1275, Columbus, NC 28722.

Anyone interested in learning more about the plans for Veterans Day should visit the organization’s Facebook page at “2013 Patriots Salute to Veterans Parade” or Google the same title.

– article submitted by Otis Livingston