Veteran’s Memorial Park in Columbus, N.C. hosted the 2016 Singing for the Soldiers concert on Memorial Day, May 30. Hot dogs, roasted corn, baked goods and drinks were served by local volunteers and the event was co-sponsored by Watson’s Furniture, Don Mintz Builders, Diversified Home Builders, The Gold Exchange, Arledge Inc., Curtis Pace Construction, Strategic Work Systems and Fork Creek Baptist Church in association with the House of Flags Museum in Columbus. Care packages were assembled and included donations of socks, suntan lotion, lip balm, bug spray, hand sanitizer, batteries, toiletry items and baby wipes. The Polk County Honor Guard, consisting of four local veterans, conducted a special ceremony as the National Anthem was sung to begin the concert. Colt Creek Bluegrass, including Morgan Hodge, Luke Phillips, James Metcalf and Douglas Barnes, above, Soul Vision and legendary gospel singer Archie Watkins provided the evening’s music. (Photos by Michael O’Hearn)