The tradition of honoring local military veterans continues in Chilton County this year.

Southern Care Hospice sponsored a Veterans Day pinning ceremony for Hatley Health Care and Rehab resident veterans Thursday afternoon, and the annual Chilton County Veterans Day Program is set for Monday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. at the Chilton County Courthouse.

American flags, military insignia and red, white and blue decorations were prominent at Thursday’s ceremony at Hatley as the following veterans were honored for their service: Lewis Brown, Army; Hershal Blalock, Navy; Walter Cary, Army; Bertha Cunningham, Army/Air Force, World War II; Houston Darby, Army; Horace Gore, Army, WWII; Walter Jordan, Navy; Luther Ludolf, Marines; Michael Mathews, Navy Reserve; Joseph McElrath, Army; Jack Meek, Navy; Horace Noah, Army, WWII; Louie Robinette, Navy; Herbert Shaw, Air Force Reserve; Jerry Smith, Army National Guard.

Following a welcome from Hatley Administrator Lance Bolding, State Rep. Kurt Wallace delivered the invocation.

The Civil Air Patrol of Clanton performed the Posting of the Colors and the Retirement of the Colors, and Junior Miss Peach Queen Hannah Tierce sang the National Anthem.

Robert Horton, public information officer for the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, presented each veteran with a certificate.

“What an honor to take time and honor those that have served and fought for our freedom,” said Community Relations Director Mara Tierce of SouthernCare.

Tierce thanked the more than 50 veterans and guests for attending and shared news that she, Horton, Wallace and others were able to grant WWII veteran and former SouthernCare patient William A. Posey his wish of publishing a book he wrote called “Dress Blues.”

Veterans’ appreciation will continue on Nov. 12 at the Veterans Day Program sponsored by American Legion posts 343, 6 and 206, as well as DAV Chapter 33 and VFW Post 3193.

Korean War veteran Lally Bates will introduce guest speaker Alton Henley, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 1957-1959 and 1963-1970 and in the U.S. Army from 1959-1962.

Margaret Collins will sing “God Bless America,” and Jill Cox will sing the National Anthem.

Jim Gore, commander of VFW Post 3193, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Bates said the annual program could not be held on Veterans Day this year because it falls on a Sunday and the courthouse will be closed.

“We’ll highlight the veterans because we want to remember the veterans, the ones who served,” Bates said.

Guests are invited to proceed to American Legion Post 6 after the program for refreshments and fellowship.