Contributed by the city of Opelika, city of Auburn
Opelika
The city of Opelika will host Memorial Day Services in person on May 31, 2021. The event will remember our military heroes who fought for the freedom of our country and the families who lost loved ones in the line of service. Services will be held at Courthouse Square at 10 a.m.
We have a special lineup this year:
Welcome by Mayor Gary Fuller
Prayer by Bishop Kenneth R. Carter, Sr. of Christ Temple Holiness Church
Special Music by Opelika High School Choir Members – Maddox Wynham and Alexandria Torbert
Poem by Opelika police officer Alejandro Reyna
Presentation of Colors and Laying of the Wreath by Opelika Fire Dept.
Guest speaker is retired Navy Capt. Michael Horsefield
TAPS by Neil Sasser, Opelika High School.
Horsefield served in the Navy for 27 years flying jets off of aircraft carriers all over the world. Before flying for the Navy, he earned a degree in Computer Engineering from Auburn in 1985 and ultimately retired here in 2012.
Horsefield completed 13 assignments serving 10 years overseas during his service, is a graduate of Navy Test Pilot School, commanded a squadron flying the T-45C and has flown 73 combat missions. Additionally, Horsefield has completed two tours with NATO and has detached to Afghanistan six times for work to improve coalition communication. Horsefield currently works in testing and developing virtual reality flight training for the US military.
Following the Memorial Day services, the Museum of East Alabama will host a reception for the public to share the extraordinary memorabilia of Opelika’s history. We hope you will join us.
In case of rain, the 10 a.m. services will be moved the Municipal Court Building at 300 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Memorial Day Week Garbage Schedules: Garbage and recycling routes will run one day later than normal.
Auburn
Join the City of Auburn and the Auburn Veterans Committee for an outdoor ceremony remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice on Memorial Day, May 31. The event will be held at the Auburn Veterans Memorial Monument at the corner of Ross Street and Glenn Avenue at 9 a.m. The program will feature remarks from Auburn Mayor Ron Anders and Lt. Col. James Witte. There will also be musical performances and the Auburn University Naval ROTC.
Attendees are encouraged to park at the Douglas J. Watson Municipal Complex and Felton Little Park. Ross Street and Glenn Avenue will be closed near the intersection to provide room for on-street, accessible parking. Please note, attendees will be required to adhere to all COVID-19 regulations in place at the time of the event. Learn more about the City’s efforts to honor Auburn’s veterans at auburnalabama.org/veterans.