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As Veterans Day rolls around this year, several events are set throughout Troup County to recognize and celebrate military personnel for their service to our country.

Hogansville will kick off Veteran’s Day weekend with the city’s annual Veterans Day Service at Calvin Hipp Park on Friday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m.

The event is hosted by American Legion Post 152 and will feature keynote speaker Judge Ralph Bailey Jr. Bailey served as a Judge Advocate in the US Army and currently serves as a State Court judge in Henry County. He was appointed to the bench seat in 2021 by Gov. Brian Kemp.

The event will also include the presentation of the Veteran of the Year award.

Prior to the service, Hogansville Elementary will hold its annual Veterans Walkthrough where students line the hallway to recognize local vets.

On Saturday, the West Georgia Veterans Council will host its annual Veterans Day service at the Troup County Veterans Memorial located between the Juvenile Court building and the parking deck for the Government Center.

Sgt. Steven Cheek will serve as the keynote speaker for the LaGrange event. The retired Marine sergeant served three tours in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan.  Chee now works as the pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church and is the owner of the Holy Roller Painting Co. in LaGrange.

On Saturday, the LaGrange Elk’s Lodge will host their annual Veterans Luncheon. The lodge hosts the event each year to thank veterans and their families for their service.

The Elks will provide a free barbeque lunch to all vets and their families on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2  p.m. at the LaGrange Elk’s Lodge at 905 S. Davis Road in LaGrange.

Also on Saturday, Whispering Hills Natural Green Cemetery and Memorial Nature Preserve will host a Veterans Day service starting at 2 p.m. The ceremony will feature local officials and the Troup County High School Air Force Junior ROTC color guard.

The event will also include the placement of the first service medallion on the final resting place of Air Force veteran Wayne Merritt, a former Vietnam War pilot and ROTC instructor at Auburn University.

Whispering Hills Cemetary is located at 3550 Mooty Bridge Road in LaGrange.