Jeremy T.K. Farley — April 15, 2016

Wythe County citizens are invited to gather at the Wythe County Court House Friday morning as the locality will be welcoming dozens of World War II and Korean War veterans.

The war veterans, many from Tennessee, will be making a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., in order to visit monuments erected in their honor and the group is slated to pass through Wythe County around 9:30 a.m. on Friday.

“We want to roll out the red carpet for these American heroes as they pass through our community,” said Chief Deputy Charles Foster of the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office, adding, “It would be impossible to appropriately thank these men for their sacrifices, but we’re going to do our very best.”

Fourth Street in front of the county’s courthouse will be closed and a color guard will be in place to welcome the veterans.

Ceremonies will also include a bag pipe player and light refreshments for veterans.

Foster said that the sheriff’s office has reached out to local VFWs and are extending the invitation to all war veterans throughout Southwest Virginia and beyond.

Following a brief ceremony, a police escort comprised of the Virginia State Police, Wytheville Police Department and Wythe County Sheriff’s Office will lead the bus load of veterans out of town.

“Each year, we lose more and more members of our greatest generation. The public is encouraged to come out and thank these individuals for making the last half-century possible,” concluded Foster.

Local citizens wishing to come out and welcome the war veterans are encouraged to gather in front of the Wythe County Court House on the Fourth Street side sometime before 9:15 a.m. on Friday, April 22.

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