Salute to Veterans scheduled for Friday

Havelock businesses are sponsoring a Friday banquet to thank military service members for their sacrifice.

Free tickets for the Havelock Chamber of Commerce's Salute to the Military and Veterans Dinner are still available. The dinner is planned for 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Havelock Tourist and Event Center.

"Our military really does so much for us," said Reine Lewis, chamber executive director. "The veterans are a group of people that we have in our community who are important to our professional community. We want to let them know that we appreciate them."

The event kicks off with a social hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., with a cash bar available. A dinner buffet catered by Flounders including beef roast, chicken cordon bleu, salad, potatoes and vegetables is set for 6:45 p.m.

The oldest and youngest veterans will participate in a cake-cutting ceremony. Food Lion has donated cakes decorated for each of the five U.S. military branches.

State Sen. Jean Preston (R-District 2), who was recently appointed to a General Assembly committee on military and veterans' affairs, is scheduled to be the guest speaker.

Tickets are available free of charge to service members and their guests. They can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce office inside the tourist center and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lewis recommends casual attire, but framed photos of men and women in dress uniforms will adorn each table. Guests are asked to bring their portraits to mark their place and serve as an introduction to other veterans.

"We thought that would be a fun and creative way to get people talking to each other and reminiscing a little bit," she said.

The chamber is also asking World War II veterans to bring pictures they would like catalogued and saved for posterity.

Table sponsorships are still available. Businesses pay $250 to sponsor a table of eight and receive two tickets, with the remaining six distributed to service members and veterans.

Lewis said some sponsors have chosen to donate all eight seats at their tables.

"This is an awesome way to just be here and say thanks," Lewis said.

Sponsors receive a table advertisement and recognition from the chamber. For more information, call 447-1101.