The City of Opelika invites the public to join us on Saturday, November 10 as we host a Veterans Day and World War I Armistice Centennial Celebration and pause to say thank you to our veterans. “We are excited to be hosting a bigger and better Veterans Day program this year. Because it’s the concluding weekend of the WWI Centennial, we decided we’d bring a bit of entertainment and fun to the event,” said Mayor Gary Fuller. “The band is going to be extraordinary. We hope to draw more folks from our surrounding communities, as well as more families. It will be a great chance for our Opelika family to thank our veterans for their service.” The morning of activities begins with a breakfast from 8 - 9:45 a.m. for veterans and their families at Niffers at the Tracks at 917 South Railroad Avenue in Opelika. The breakfast is FREE for veterans. At 10 a.m., the Veterans Day and WWI Armistice Celebration will take place at Courthouse Square, featuring Guest Speaker, WWI expert Dr. Marty Olliff. This year we will also have a live performance by the New American Freedom Train Band. The patriotic show is a moving and inspiring one-of-a-kind musical and experience. The New American Freedom Train Show celebrates the strong foundation that made America great; faith, family, military and work ethic. US Army Veteran and award-winning Nashville recording artist Tim Maggart, of Opelika Church of the Highlands Veterans Outreach team, is joined by a team of talented musicians and production crew who work together to provide one of the most unique, relevant and entertaining shows around. In the spirit of unity, honor and respect, the New American Freedom Train Show appeals to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. With every performance, lives are touched, America’s heritage is honored and the seeds for transforming communities are planted. The event will also showcase Opelika Ovations, the competitive show choir group from Opelika High School. Ovations is led by Jeremy Robinson and Amy Griffin. In addition, the Auburn University Southeastern Raptor Center will be bringing Aurea, a gold eagle who truly represents patriotism.
Dr. Marty Olliff received his PhD from Auburn University in 1998 and is a professor of History at Troy University Dothan Campus where he also serves as the director of the Wiregrass Archives. He is the editor of The Great War in the Heart of Dixie: Alabama during World War I (University of Alabama Press, 2008) and author of Getting Out of the Mud: The Alabama Good Roads Movement and Highway Administration, 1898-1928 (University of Alabama Press, 2017). In addition, he has served as president of the Society of Alabama Archivists, the Alabama Association of Historians, and the Alabama Historical Association, as well as being the most recent chairman of the Historic Chattahoochee Commission.
In the event of rain, the program and concert will be moved to First Baptist Church, Opelika, in The 3:16 Center, located at 301 South 8th Street.
Immediately following the show at Courthouse Square, the Museum of East Alabama, located at 121 South 9th Street in downtown Opelika, will host a special reception to honor all Veterans.
The City hopes you will join us as we take the time to honor all who have served our great country.
Other Veterans Day Week News:
All City Offices will be closed on Monday, November 12 except for Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library and The Opelika SportsPlex. Those two facilities will be open: the Library, normal hours - the SportsPlex, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Garbage Schedules for the week: Because Veterans Day falls on a Monday, ALL GARBAGE AND RECYCLING SCHEDULES will be pushed back one day.
For more information, please contact Leigh Krehling, Community Relations Officer at lkrehling@opelika-al.gov or 334.705.5136