The Town of Cary invites citizens and visitors to its free Memorial Day Remembrance at Veteran’s Freedom Park, 1513 N. Harrison Avenue, on May 29 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The Cary Town Band will open the ceremony with patriotic music, followed by Mayor Pro Tem Ed Yerha leading a moment of remembrance to honor those who have fallen while serving our country’s armed services.

Speakers at the event will be Chris Froeschner and David Cole, both United States Air Force (retired). Froeschner currently serves as Vice President of Operations for the United Service Organizations of North Carolina, where he leads, mentors, and develops five center directors, their staffs, and more than 800 volunteers. He joined the USO of North Carolina in April 2014 after retiring from the Air Force following 23 years of service as a C-130 Navigator, Flight Mishap Investigator, Chief of Safety, and commander of both the U.S. Air Force Academy and N.C. State University Air Force ROTC.

Cole served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War as a combat historian with the 22nd Bomb Wing of the Strategic Air Command. He relocated his family to North Carolina in 2006 and established an independent advisory business focused on retirement care and veterans benefits issues. He also serves on the membership committee of the Cary Central Rotary and as director of the North Carolina Senior Care Council.

The Cary Town Band will conclude the ceremony after which guests will be invited to share light refreshments. In the event of inclement weather, event updates will be available on the Town’s Weather Status Page at www.townofcary.org/rainout.

Leading up to the Remembrance, the Carolina Veterans Support Group will set up a Field of Flags at the Veterans’ Freedom Park on May 25 that will remain in place through May 30. Those who wish to sponsor a flag can contact the Support Group at (919) 559-1057 or www.cvsgnc.org.

The Town will once again offer toy soldiers in colors to correspond with each branch of the military that citizens can write a soldier’s name on and place in the memorial as a way to honor loved ones who served. These soldiers will be saved and placed in the memorial every Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Parking will be available at Cary Academy, 1500 N. Harrison Ave., across the street from Veteran’s Freedom Park. A free shuttle that is handicap accessible will run from Cary Academy’s parking lot to Veteran’s Freedom Park, and there will be a police patrol to assist with pedestrian crossing of Harrison Avenue.

For more, check out Memorial Day Remembrance at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4061.