BY KARISSA MILLER

All veterans are invited to the annual Iredell County Veterans Day ceremony and BBQ lunch on Thursday, November 10, at West Iredell High School, 213 Warrior Drive in Statesville.

The event begins at 10 a.m. Doors will open at 9 a.m. 

The school event, in coordination with the WIHS chorus and band, is planned by the West Army Junior ROTC along with other high school JROTC programs, including South Iredell, North Iredell and Mooresville, helping out.

“It gets bigger and bigger each year,” said First Sgt. Reggie Hooker, who oversees the West Iredell program. “It gives the cadets the opportunity to give respect to our veterans on a special day.”

“This school has been very proactive in the community. Our cadets do a lot of community service with veterans’ organizations, and that’s what has made this program successful inside the school and outside the school,” he added.

Hooker said that it’s a time to invite what he calls their most important stakeholders into the school. Organizers are expecting from 300 to 325 veterans and family members.

Similar to past years, veterans will still be able hear patriotic tunes and celebratory songs sung by the chorus. Distinguished guests will include I-SS Superintendent Jeff James, Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell, county commissioners and other elected officials.

The food is prepared by Cooking for Christ at no charge.

When JROTC students decided to do something special for the veterans of the county several years ago, they had no idea that their project would turn into a tradition that would draw hundreds of veterans each year.

Hooker said West Iredell has the largest freshman cadet class they have in several years with nearly 100 students.