Cullman County Veterans Day Celebration salutes local veterans
VINEMONT, Ala. – Skies were clear, a pale cerulean and perfect for flight on Saturday morning, Nov. 4, 2023, as hundreds filled the pavement at Cullman Regional Airport to honor, celebrate and recognize the more than 7,000 veterans who call Cullman home. The event was a group effort between the Cullman Elks Lodge, airport director Ben Harrison and a man known as “the colonel,” Ken Brown.
Gates opened at 9 a.m. with the opening ceremony following shortly after; Cullman Area Technology Academy’s JROTC posted colors while Sharon Elliot belted a classic rendition of the national anthem. Local dignitaries spoke of the grave importance of defending the nation, with Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman beseeching attendees to continue the work started by veterans in upholding the values and freedoms they fought for.
“Those men and women were ordinary people until they heard the call of duty, and they answered it. They left their families, they left their homes, they left their lives. Not for recognition or fame, or even the honor that we bestow upon them today. They fought to protect our country and maintain our way of life,” said Gudger.
“It’s part of who we are, and it’s events like this that help us maintain that and honor our veterans,” echoed Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs.
With the closing of the ceremony, the day was free and clear for attendees to check out dozens of historic aircraft, visit booths promoting services for veterans of every era, indulge in delicious burgers and barbecue and even take a ride in a Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter as they soaked up the autumnal sun.
Brown said the flow of this year’s event was par for the course. “We had a fantastic program today at the airport, and we have a lot of great veterans to honor in Cullman County,” he said, gesturing to the hundreds of veterans filling the space of the airfield. Brown touched on the working relationship between himself, the Elks Lodge and the airport, noting the teamwork it takes to make an event of this scale come to life.
“Ben Harrison and his staff (have) done a great job of preparing everything for us and getting these aircraft in and out safely. You know, when you have a crowd of people and a bunch of propellers going, you have to be very, very careful,” he laughed. “Ben and his guys do a great job. The Elks Lodge does a great job planning this every year, and we’re just very proud to do this every year.”
Harrison shared Brown’s congeniality, agreeing that the relationship he’s enjoyed with Brown and the Elks Lodge has enabled the event to grow bigger and better each year.
“We’ve been doing this for years; we start the process with the colonel after the first of the year and it’s a lot of coordination and understanding, as far as what he needs and what the airport can provide,” said Harrison. “Without that coordination and communication, we wouldn’t be able to pull this off. Plus, without the help from the City, County and Elks and everyone else involved; it’s a team effort to put it all together!”
Harrison touched on the several vintage aircraft at the event, saying that for many Cullman residents, it’s a sight they’ve never seen, and for the honored guests of the day, it’s a sight they never thought they’d see again.
“We think it’s really great for the general public to come out and see, for these veterans to come out and remember,” he smiled. “It’s a great way for us to give back to the community and the veterans; without them obviously we wouldn’t be able to do this.”
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