Colors will pop at annual celebration of veterans

U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood attended and spoke at the first six Red, White and Blue Veterans Day celebrations in Columbia County.

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At the seventh annual event May 26, the late congressman will be paid tribute with the dedication of a plaza and road in his name.

"In the past, we have honored local veterans," said Stacie Adkins, Columbia County's Community Events manager. "We're just going to honor him, the one, this year."

Norwood, 65, died Feb .13 at his Augusta home after battling lung disease and cancer. A Vietnam War veteran and retired dentist, he served in the U.S. House from 1995 until his death.

Adkins said the ceremony will include dedicating a granite marker to name the lawn in front of the county Justice Center in Evans as Norwood Freedom Plaza.

A road that runs alongside the courthouse from Ronald Reagan Drive to the Columbia County Library was renamed Norwood Drive by the county commission in February.

The celebration will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. May 26 on the steps and lawn of the Columbia County Justice Center.

"It gets bigger and bigger every year," Adkins said. More than 2,000 people attended the 2006 celebration.

Adkins said the Red, White and Blue celebration also will include performances from the U.S. Army Signal Corps Band of Fort Gordon, a men's quartet, a patriotic parade of soldiers and a flag retirement ceremony.

As is tradition, the celebration will end with a fireworks display that will start at dark.

For more information, including where to take flags to be retired, contact Adkins at (706) 312-7191 or sadkins@columbiacountyga.gov.