Community members are invited to honor men and women who gave their lives in military service at the 27th annual Chilton County Veterans Memorial Day Observance program on Monday.

The hour-long program will start at 10 a.m. outside of the Chilton County Courthouse in front of the veterans’ monument.

In case of inclement weather, the program will be held in the large courtroom.

Korean War veteran Morris Price will welcome guests to the program, followed by an invocation from the Rev. Tony Hughes and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Eugene Cost.

Margaret K. Collins will sing “God Bless America,” and Kaitlyn Garrison will sing the National Anthem.

Veterans Memorial Committee member Lally Bates will share stories of veterans that sacrificed their lives to help secure the freedoms United States citizens enjoy.

Bates will also talk about the state closing Chilton County’s Veterans Affairs office last year and the efforts of volunteers to help local veterans apply for benefits and complete paperwork in the county instead of driving to offices in Columbiana or Prattville.

Bates said by attending the Memorial Day program, people show they “still believe in patriotism.”

“They remember those that gave their life in the war, and they remember the veterans still living,” Bates said.

A.C. Luhrs, Jim Dunlap, John Burnette and Bates will read the names of Chilton County veterans that served in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Lebanon and Iraq.

Don Smith will perform “Taps,” followed by Charles Owens and Cost lowering the flag and Darlene Cost placing a wreath.

Bates said seating on the lawn would be provided.