The Town of Wake Forest, in collaboration with various local veterans’ groups, is gearing up to hold its 59th memorial flag-raising ceremony on April 7, honoring the late US Marine Corps veteran Bobby Gene Kemple, as stated on the Town of Wake Forest official website. Starting at 11 a.m. in Centennial Plaza, the upcoming ceremony marks the revival of a cherished monthly tradition, which pays homage to departed veterans and offers solace to their families.
Notably, the patriotic event will feature various tributes to Kemple, inclusive of a wreath laying and melodious renditions of patriotic songs. The Wake Forest Fire Department Honor Guard, having been recognized for their service, will raise two flags – the American flag and the Marine Corps service flag. These will notably flutter over Centennial Plaza during the month of April, before the American flag is ceremoniously handed over to the Kemple family on May 5, as shared in the announcement on Town of Wake Forest.
An integral part of the ceremony is the participation of family members, with Kemple's kin being specially invited to engage in the event. According to the town's release, besides the ceremonial aspects, there will also be a display featuring photographs and mementos of Kemple available for viewing at Centennial Plaza on the day of the ceremony, and subsequently, in the Town Hall lobby until the end of April.
These memorial flag-raising ceremonies, meant to be purely honorary gestures towards the sacrifices made by the Wake Forest veteran community and their families, are scheduled to take place typically on the first Monday of each month, spanning from April through October. Held in Centennial Plaza at 11 a.m., the services do not bear any cost and are driven solely by the town and local veterans' groups' commitment to honor those who have served, as revealed in the details posted on the Town of Wake Forest.
