VIDEO: North Georgia salutes its veterans

From public school gymnasiums to town squares to churches, communities across north Georgia paid tribute to the men and women who served in the U.S. military on Veterans Day 2015.

Enjoy the photos in this gallery, some taken by AccessWDUN staff, but many submitted by our readers. 

Georgia's First Lady speaks to Hall Co. students at Veterans Day ceremony

The Academies of Discovery Campus saw nearly 1300 students fill the gym for the Second Annual World Language Academy Veteran’s Day Celebration.

Keynote speaker First Lady Sandra Deal issued the kindergarten through eighth graders a challenge to serve their country now by being the best students they could be.

“My challenge to you,” said Deal, a retired educator herself, “go home, practice your reading, practice your math. That is the best tribute you can pay to our veterans.”

She said that some day many of them would have the chance to serve their country in the military and that they needed to be prepared for that day by being good students today.

“You’re too young yet to serve but you can show your appreciation for those that have served,” Mrs. Deal encouraged.  “You can say ‘Thank you’ to the veterans.”

Following the ceremony, a “missing man formation” flyover and a “walk of honor” capped off the celebration.

Lula honors veterans with songs, prayers and thanks

City of Lula officials, community members and students gathered at the Lula Veterans Park in the downtown area to celebrate veterans during a ceremony. Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch was the keynote speaker. He talked about the veterans in his life that inspired him, including his father.

"Veterans Day is very near and dear to my heart," said Couch. "My dad served in the U.S. Army in Korea, and he will always be my greatest hero. My uncle served in Vietnam and I had a great-uncle that served in World War II."

"We need to be - not just on Veterans Day - we need to be mindful and thank our veterans each and every day. Without our veterans, we wouldn't have what we have today in this country," Couch said.

After the ceremony, which featured the presentation of the colors and taps, as well as two singers and a medley of patriotic songs, veterans were encouraged to line up so everyone could shake their hands and say thank you.

Georgia congressman pays tribute to veterans in his hometown

Ninth District Congressman Doug Collins, a Republican from Gainesville, started his day paying tribute to veterans at the annual ceremony at Rock Creek Park just off the downtown Gainesville square. 

"We did not get here from nothing. Whatever we have now - freedoms and really just the community that exists - is based on those who are willing to serve," said Collins.

The congressman is a veteran, serving as a Chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

American flags are flying outside Sardis Elementary School in northwest Hall County in honor of Veterans Day. (Photo by Linda English)

Sardis Elementary School students wear original patriotic head gear for Veterans Day 2015. (Photo by Linda English)

Sen. Butch Miller of Gainesville speaks to students and faculty at Hall County's Sardis Elementary School. (Photo by Linda English)

U.S. Army veteran Gary Martin and his wife Beth, both teachers at DaVinci Academy, commemorate Veterans Day at school. (Photo by Deborah Abercrombie)

Students, faculty and parents packed the gymnasium at Tadmore Elementary School in Hall County for a Veterans Day celebration. (Photo by Joan Armour)

Students at Tadmore Elementary School in Hall County participate in a Wednesday morning Veterans Day celebration. (Photo by Joan Armour)

Rock Creek Park in Gainesville is the site of one of the yearly ceremonies in the area commemorating Veterans Day. (Photo by David Cook)

Area veterans take part in the annual Nov. 11 ceremony at Rock Creek Park in Gainesville (Photo by David Cook)

Veterans bow in prayer at the annual Veterans Day ceremony at Rock Creek Park in Gainesville (Photo by David Cook)

Even the family pets are feeling patriotic at the Veterans Day ceremony at Gainesville's Rock Creek Park. (Photo by David Cook)

A Vietnam veteran and his wife attend the 2015 Veterans Day program at Lakewood Baptist Church sponsored by the American Legion Paul E. Bolding Post 7 in Gainesville. (Photo by B.J. Williams)

Area veterans attend the ceremony in honor of veterans at Gainesville's Lakewood Baptist Church on Wednesday. (Photo by B.J. Williams)

Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal addresses WLA students during a 2015 Veterans Day program. (Photo by Marc Eggers)

Cadets from Riverside Military Academy post the colors at Wednesday's Veterans Day program at Lakewood Baptist Church in Gainesville. (Photo by B.J. Williams)

Chestatee High School's marching band played for the Annual American Legion Veterans Day Ceremony at Lakewood Baptist Church in Gainesville. (Photo by B.J. Williams)

Lula veterans lined up for their well-deserved recognition at the end of the annual Veterans Day program. (Photo by Alyson Shields)

Some veterans shake the hands of fifth grade students and chat with them following the Veterans Day program in Lula. While saying thank you, some students mentioned their relatives who have served in the military. (Photo by Alyson Shields)

Veterans greet each other and line up for a meet and greet in Lula on Wednesday. (Photo by Alyson Shields)

A veteran looks on as 'Taps' is played at a Wednesday ceremony in downtown Lula. (Photo by Alyson Shields)

Sheriff Gerald Couch talks about the veterans who have inspired him as part of his keynote address at the Lula Veterans Day ceremony. (Photo by Alyson Shields)

Presentation of the colors at the Lula Veterans Day ceremony. (Photo by Alyson Shields)

Vietnam Veteran William Holland and his grandchildren Lillian Martin and William Martin at the Veterans Day Ceremony at Rock Creek Park in Gainesville (Photo submitted by Holly Martin)

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