Group observes Veterans Day at Lynchburgโs Monument Terrace
LYNCHBURG, Va. โ A group braved the rain to observe Veterans Day in front of Lynchburgโs Monument Terrace. They closed Church Street for the event featuring a wreath laying, tolling of the bell, a rifle salute and the playing of Taps. The Lynchburg Area Veterans Council sponsored the event, which also included guest speakers. โThey volunteered to risk their very lives, not for fame, not for fortune, but only to serve our nation,โ said Air Force veteran Glenn Spears. The group meets at Monument Terrace every Friday afternoon to honor veterans.
Lynchburgโs Monument Terrace Troop Rally becomes veteransโ weekly tradition
LYNCHBURG, Va. โ Lynchburg is home to one of the longest-running veterans' traditions in the United States. Veterans have gathered for the Monument Terrace Troop Rally every Friday since 9/11. โWeโre with different organizations and have experienced different combat situations," said Daniel Valerio, a 91-year-old Marine veteran who comes to the Troop Rally every Friday. Now, Lynchburg is veteran-friendly.โThe Troop Rally is closing in on 1,000 straight weeks. Stokes said the veterans will occupy Monument Terrace every Friday until troops return home from the Middle East.
Lynchburg veterans remember comrades for National Purple Heart Day
LYNCHBURG, Va. Friday was National Purple Heart Day and Lynchburg veterans took time to remember their own. The local veterans group laid a wreath on Friday afternoon to honor the 286 Lynchburg soldiers who fought and died in wars like WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Purple Heart recipients also gathered around Monument Terrace to celebrate National Purple Heart Day and take a picture. ...Were trying to show our support for even those that are coming back today that are wounded, or even those that gave their time for service to our country, said Lynchburg veteran Gary Witt. The group said that on Friday night, the Bank of the James and Liberty Universitys Freedom Tour will be lit purple for Purple Heart veterans.
Covington community coming together for prayer and praise event
COVINGTON, Va. โ A local community is coming together for prayer and praise this weekend in an event called โWe are the Bridge.โThe idea came to faith leaders in Covington after seeing videos on Facebook from a similar event in Lynchburg. As 10 News has reported, hundreds showed up at Monument Terrace earlier this week to pray for healing. "We've heard from a lot of people they've wanted to do something, they just didn't know what to do," said Pastor Pam Irvine, event organizer. โWe are the Bridgeโ will take place Sunday, June 7 at 2 p.m in Solid Rock Ministriesโ parking lot in Covington. Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask.
Lynchburg NAACP holds peaceful protest downtown on Tuesday
LYNCHBURG, Va. โ The local NAACP chapter organized a demonstration at Monument Terrace in downtown Lynchburg on Tuesday. It followed nights of unrest that led to several arrests across the city and a mandatory 8 p.m. curfew. โI think itโs rooted in the right place but I think itโs also going to follow the same lines weโre all fighting right now. Letโs do that Lynchburg," shouted one of the clergy officials. Similar to the prayer vigil hosted by the Lynchburg faith-based community on Monday, local NAACP chapter leaders said events like Tuesdayโs demonstration and clearly-defined strategy are the best ways to move forward.
Sandwiched between two nights of violence, hundreds gathered in Lynchburg for prayer vigil
LYNCHBURG, Va. Before Mondays peaceful protests turned chaotic and then violent, hundreds gathered for a prayer vigil in Lynchburg. [More arrests come after protesters shoot at officers Monday night in Lynchburg]It was a moment for healing early Monday evening at Monument Terrace after violence broke out in Lynchburg the night before. Hundreds of people from churches across the Hill City gathered at 6 p.m. on a historic hill -- the terrace steps. The Ramp Church International and Waymaker Church, along with others, felt it was time for the faith-based community to act. Younger, Senior Pastor at Ramp Church International.
WATCH: Lynchburg NAACP, other organizations have gathering against racism
At 11 a.m., the Lynchburg NAACP, the Lynchburg Voters League and others are set to gather against racism at Monument Terrace. This comes after two nights of protests that turned violent in the Hill City. Mondays protest turned more chaotic as the night went on, and a mandatory curfew starts at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Officers used tear gas on the crowd several times throughout the night on Monday, as the gathering shifted from peaceful to more chaotic. Several officers are hurt and two people were arrested after peaceful protests turned violent Sunday night into Monday morning in Lynchburg.
Local veterans to install bricks to honor, remember servicemen, women, first responders
Names will be engraved on the bricks to honor and remember men and women who have served the United States. "It's open to living veterans as well. All veterans, first responders, police, law enforcement, EMT, firemen," Steve Bozeman, a veteran advocate and Purple Heart recipient, said. The money will help the council's efforts with the Military Order Purple Heart organization. Organizers said since Saturday, about 140 bricks have already been ordered, leaving the group with a little more than 70 left.