On Wednesday, November 11, Tuscaloosa Veterans Memorial Park at 1701 McFarland Boulevard East will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony. The event, organized by the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority and the Veterans Memorial Park Association, opens its doors to the public at 10 a.m. and is free of charge.
Keynote speaker
Retired Army Major General Charles H. Gailes Jr., a native of Tuscaloosa, will deliver the keynote address. Gailes served more than 30 years in the military and another 30 years in law enforcement. His career includes senior leadership roles across the Army and the National Guard, commanding Task Force Guardian during Hurricane Katrina and leading Task Force Tuscaloosa after the April 27, 2011 tornadoes. His most recent assignment was as commander of Task Force 51 with U.S. Army North, where he also oversaw a Department of Defense response force for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents. Gailes also spent nine years as chief of police at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College and the FBI National Academy.
Community support
Brian Butler, chairman of the Veterans Memorial Park Association, said, “Veterans Day gives our community an opportunity to come together and recognize the men and women whose service and sacrifice have helped protect our freedoms.” PARA CEO Brian Davis added, “Tuscaloosa Veterans Memorial Park is a meaningful place for our community to reflect on the courage, dedication and sacrifice of those who have served our nation. PARA is honored to support this annual tradition and work alongside the Veterans Memorial Park Association to provide a place where veterans, military families and the entire community can gather to pay tribute.”
Veterans, military families, elected officials and community leaders are expected to attend. If inclement weather forces a move indoors, the ceremony will be relocated to the Belk men’s atrium entrance at University Mall. Updates will be posted at tcpara.org.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
