22 Hump set for Saturday
Murphy – For the first time in more than 20 years, there will not be a public Memorial Day ceremony downtown.
The ceremony is usually presented by the U.S. Marine Corps League, Cherokee Detachment 1011, and Commandant Frank Bailey was sad the coronavirus pandemic caused them to change the way they honor fallen soldiers this year.
A few members of the detachment will still lower and raise the flag to half staff, then place a wreath at the memorial downtown.
“At least we get to honor them that way,” Bailey said.
Various local veteran organizations have played a role in presenting the ceremony in the past. The Cherokee County detachment first got involved in 1999, just months after it was formed.
Both American Legion Post 96 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7620 plan to continue placing flags at the burial sites of veterans in local cemeteries. Social distancing will be encouraged by both organizations.
On Saturday, Warriors Veteran Outreach will continue hold its annual 22 Hump, a walk down U.S. 19/74 to build awareness of veteran suicide. This will be the fifth year of the event, with about 100 people participating last year.
“While the coronavirus threatens all Americans, we cannot forget the tragedy of veteran suicides,” said Dan’o Miller, the organization’s founder. “Each year we’ve had a larger number of veterans, family members and supporters walk all or a portion of the route.
“It’s a walk, not a race, and this year we’ll be taking extra precautions to use social distancing guidelines to protect the participants.”
Registration for the event begins at 8 a.m. There is no entry fee. Donations are accepted, and 25 businesses, churches and individuals are sponsoring the event. Proceeds will be used to conduct suicide prevention training and provide financial assistance to those seeking counseling certification.
The walk will start at 8:30 a.m. at Camp Jensen, the organization’s headquarters behind The Daily Grind & Wine in downtown Murphy. The participants will head to the four-lane highway, then walk toward Marble. Once they reach N.C. 141, participants will head back to Camp Jensen.
Don Slifer, the group’s public information officer, said they would naturally spread participants out as needed for the opening remarks. Unlike previous years, there will not be a gathering after the completion of the walk.
For details about the 22 Hump or Warriors Veteran Outreach, call 557-6881.