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Cumming to mark day for veterans
Annual observance joined by others in schools
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Forsyth County News
If you're going
The Cumming, American Legion Veterans Day Ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday. The event will be held at the Veterans War Memorial on Veterans Memorial Boulevard, east of downtown. The school events are not open to the public.

Residents both young and old are planning to observe Veterans Day on Tuesday, paying tribute to Forsyth County's men and women in uniform.

American Legion Post 307 and the city of Cumming will hold the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Veterans War Memorial in Cumming.

The event will include musical performances by the Forsyth Central High School Flash of Crimson Band, Zeke Farley on bagpipes and the Christian Fine Arts of Forsyth Singers.

Taps and a 21-gun salute will honor fallen soldiers.

Past and present members of the military, their families and the public are invited to attend.

"I want [the community] to see the veterans themselves, and who they are," said Dennis 'Mac' McKinny, American Legion Post 307 commander. "They will also speak for the veterans who are not there.

"The community needs to understand what the veterans have done and where we are now. We need to honor our heritage ... as well as the people who participated."

Three of Forsyth's schools also plan to honor local veterans in separate ceremonies Tuesday.

Matt Elementary School is holding the special observance for the first time.

Debi Carnaroli, a gifted endorsement instructor at the school in west Forsyth, is the committee organizer for the event.

To prepare for the two morning ceremonies, every student has created a star, thanking a veteran for their service.

"We owe these men and women our lives," Carnaroli said. "You can't start too early to teach young ones what it means to be an American and to be patriotic and say 'thank you' to the people who keep us safe."

Johns Creek Elementary is throwing a gala in honor of the day.
North Forsyth High School's drum squad will perform for dozens of veterans representing families of students.

Members of the Cumming Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9143 will also attend and offer $50 and $25 savings bonds to the winners of an essay contest.

The entertainment follows a breakfast for veterans and their families.

Johns Creek students have created nearly 2,000 pieces of patriotic artwork, which will be displayed in the building.

In what has become an annual tradition at the school, Settles Bridge Elementary has planned a similar event, honoring active military veterans and personnel.

In addition to a brunch, Brig. Gen. Mike McGuinn will speak and there will be a special presentation by Lt. Col. Alfonzo Jackson, a Tuskegee Airman.

Buster Evans, superintendent of Forsyth County Schools, said it is important for students to learn about Veterans Day, but also "for them to participate in observances to honor all of the men and women who have served or are serving in the United States military, and especially those who have died so that we may live in freedom."