MONUMENT TERRACE TROOP RALLY

Veterans and locals gathered to celebrate Desmond Doss Day at the Monument Terrace Troop Rally.

It was a final salute to Vietnam Veteran Bob Sherman, who we’re told did not have a proper funeral after he died in January.

The Lynchburg Area Veterans Council is one of three national finalists to win a $10,000 grant from the Homes for Heroes Foundation – and need your vote to help them win.

The group has assembled in the Hill City every Friday for 20 years as a way of showing support for U.S. troops.

Lynchburg’s Monument Terrace Troop Rally marked its 20th anniversary Friday. The veteran group shows support for those who served and active-duty members.

Air Force veteran Michael Doucette was the keynote speaker and brought a message of duty, honor and country.

World War II veteran Bill Sisk died this week at the age of 96. The Lynchburg native used to participate in the weekly troop rallies.

The Lynchburg man who served his country and then graduated high school died Monday night.

The Vietnam War and Foreign Conflicts Foundation is on a mission to raise one million dollars to build a museum in Nelson County.

Across the country, there are groups dedicated to honoring our servicemen and women.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Rain, sleet, snow, or shine, the Monument Terrace Troop Rally has gathered every week in Lynchburg since November 2001. Nearly a hundred people showed up for Friday’s milestone – the 1,000th consecutive week – and some have been in attendance since the very beginning. The Vietnam veteran earned two purple hearts and says he’s attended practically every rally because he made a promise when he returned home. “It’s just a place where there’s a lot of comradery, a lot of respect for the country. We were going to be here.”As they continue, the group will mark their 20th anniversary in November, around the 1,043rd consecutive rally.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Monument Terrace Troop Rally honored Lynchburg veterans again on Friday. Roy Farrar planned to celebrate with his father, Tuskeegee Airman Alfred Farrar, for his 100th birthday. He died a week ago, so Steve Bozeman and the Lynchburg Veterans Council transformed the troop rally into a memorial service. During the ceremony, Bozeman surprised Roy when he announced he would keep his dad’s memory alive with some paving of his own. As long as Monument Terrace stands, those bricks will be over there,” he said.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – 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. “We’re 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.”The 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.