Kannapolis Memorial Day ceremony moves inside because of rain
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 29, 2018
WW II veteran Ira James Mullis Sr. got a standing ovation. He is a former barber in Kannapolis who served in the Army in Italy. Wayne Hinshaw/For the Salisbury Post
Miss North Carolina Victoria Huggins and Jimmy Wilson, chairman of the Memorial Day ceremony, sing 'God Bless America.' Wayne Hinshaw/For the Salisbury Post
Northwest Cabarrus High School Air Force JROTC cadets hand out national flags. Wayne Hinshaw/For the Salisbury Post
Veterans enjoyed posing for photos with Miss North Carolina Victoria Huggins. Wayne Hinshaw/For the Salisbury Post
Veterans salute the colors as they enter the room. Wayne Hinshaw/For the Salisbury Post
Veterans and visitors salute the Flag during the national anthem. Wayne Hinshaw/For the Salisbury Post
Jimmy Wilson sings 'It Has Always Been the Soldier.' Wayne Hinshaw/For the Salisbury Post
By Wayne Hinshaw
For the Salisbury Post
KANNAPOLIS — With rain falling Monday, the parade of veterans was moved from South Main Street and Veterans Park inside the city government building.
Nearly 500 veterans, family members and friends gathered for a Memorial Day service.
Mayor Darrell Hinnant welcomed the crowd along with Miss North Carolina Victoria Huggins; Miss Cabarrus County Kylee Russel; Congressman Richard Hudson; and other dignitaries.
The Northwest Cabarrus High School Air Force JROTC handed out small national flags. The A.L. Brown High School Navy JROTC color guard presented the colors.
Huggins and Jimmy Wilson sang “God Bless the USA.” Later, Huggins sang “God Bless America” and delivered a Memorial Day address.
She told the crowd that she was “busting with pride to be here. Thank you for allowing me to be here today.”
Huggins said she comes from a military family and that her father is still serving after 31 years. She said North Carolina is the “most military-friendly state in America.” She spoke of her work on a project about dementia while serving as Miss North Carolina.
Hudson said it was an important day for honoring and thanking veterans who served the nation and some giving their lives in defense of the country. Memorial Day is a day for them to be remembered, he said.
All veterans were asked to stand to be recognized for the branch of military in which they served. World War II veteran and Kannapolis resident Ira James Mullis Sr. was recognized for his service in Italy before returning home to operate his barbershop for many years.
Jimmy Wilson sang an emotional song, “It Has Always Been the Soldier,” as many brushed away a few tears. Some in the crowd sang along with Wilson.
American Legion Post 115 Commander Daryl Darby and VFW Post 8989 Commander Tony Gulledge presented a memorial wreath as all saluted their fallen comrades.
Outside, the sounds of Drew Barkley’s bagpipes penetrated the quietness of the ceremony while the Kannapolis Police Department Honor Guard gave a rifle salute.
Chaplain the Rev. Don Davis prayed the benediction.
