North Georgia pays tribute to veterans early and often for Veterans Day 2019

Even though the official date for Veterans Day is November 11, the celebrations for those who serve in military service have been going on all weekend. 

On Sunday, Nov. 10, the Rock Creek Vietnam Veterans organized their annual ceremony in honor of all veterans at Gainesville's Rock Creek Park. This year, organizers honored retired Gainesville Parks and Recreation Director Melvin Cooper, who was instrumental in implementing the plan for Rock Creek Veterans Park.

Johnny Hulsey with the veterans group said even though the veterans were the ones who raised the money for the monuments at the park, Cooper was the one who made sure the city cleared the way for the monuments to be installed.

"One project at a time is what he always told us," Hulsey said. "He'd say 'complete it, do a good job on it and if you want to do another project, we'll talk about that later.' He's a man of his word and he was always very good to this group right here."

Pastor Kevin Holman of Solid Rock Baptist Church in Cleveland praised the Rock Creek veterans group for the work they did - and continue to do - at the park. He said he actually met Hulsey and the other veterans at the park as he drove by one day and saw the men doing some landscaping in the park.

"There's a saying that 'some gave all' but if you meet a true veteran, they're still giving," Holman said prior to delivering the final prayer at Sunday's ceremony. "For every veteran that's here, from the bottom of my heart - and you don't need my validation or congratulations - but I want to say thank you for what you've given my family and myself. 

Also on Sunday, the Believers Concert Band presented an hour's worth of patriotic music at Gainesville First United Methodist Church. The annual concert ended with the traditional playing of the U.S. Armed Forces Medley where members of each branch of the military stood to be honored at their branch's song was played.

Other events planned for Monday, Nov. 11, 2091:

Lula Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony
Lula Veterans Park
Downtown Lula
10 a.m. 

Sugar Hill Veterans Day Commemoration
American Legion Post 127 and the Suwanee Creek Chapter of the DAR partner with the city for this year's event
The Bowl at Sugar Hill
5039 W. Broad Street, Sugar Hill
10:30 a.m. 

American Legion Post 7 Ceremony
Lakewood Baptist Church
2235 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville
11 a.m. 

Cumming Veterans Day Ceremony
Veterans War Memorial
301 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, next to the Cumming Police Department
11 a.m. 

Gwinnett County Veterans Day Celebration
Fallen Heroes Memorial at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center
75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville
11 a.m.

Habersham County Veterans Day Ceremony
Habersham County Veterans Wall of Honor
668 U.S. 441 Business, Cornelia
3 p.m. 

Melvin Cooper (right), the recently retired Director of the Gainesville Parks and Recreation Department, was honored by the Rock Creek Vietnam Veterans for his role in creating Rock Creek Park. Joynny Hulsey (left) looks on as Ronnie Ransom (center) presents Cooper with a plaque.

The American flag and other service flags blow in the breeze at Sunday's Veterans Day ceremony at Rock Creek Park.

Participants begin to gather for Sunday's event celebrating area veterans at Rock Creek Park in Gainesville.

Johnny Hulsey with Rock Creek Vietnam Veterans welcomes the audience to the annual Veterans Day event at Rock Creek Park just north of the Gainesville square.

Jeff Gore (left) plays taps as veterans remember their fellow veterans who have died in the past years.

Arianna Banks from Gainesville High School sings The National Anthem.

A display adorns the center table in the lobby of Gainesville First United Methodist Church.

Veterans and others enjoy the music at the Annual Veterans Day Concert presented by the Believers Band at Gainesville First United Methodist Church.

The Believers Concert Band presented an hour's worth of patriotic music in honor of veterans at Gainesville First United Methodist Church on Sunday afternoon.

White County Middle School America Essay contest winner Leah Smith, 8th grade

A salute to U.S. Marines

Ceremony gets underway at Freedom Park

A crowd gathers the Roy Head Post of the American Legion Held a Veterans Day Ceremony today at Freedom Park in Cleveland.

Eddie Allen Plays Taps in honor of deceased veterans

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