A Veterans Day Service will be at the Veterans Wall of Honor in Heritage Park in McDonough on Nov. 12.

The service, which begins at 11 a.m., falls a day after the official observance, where it has been held for the past four years.

Jim Joyce of Henry County Parks and Recreation said the date change is to accommodate community attendance.

American Legion Post 55 of McDonough will host this year’s ceremony.

The program will begin with pre-ceremony music, provided by Strong Rock Christian High School’s band. Henry County High’s Navy JROTC will present the colors and pledge of allegiance. Ivana Williams, a member of the school’s Navy JROTC, will perform the national anthem.

Jerry Goodson, chaplain for the American Legion Post 55 of McDonough will perform the invocation, followed by opening remarks by Chairman Elizabeth

“B.J.” Mathis and McDonough Mayor Billy Copeland.

The keynote speaker, retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. John Pierson, is another featured portion of the program.

Pierson retired in 2001 after 21 years of service but returned to help train following the Sept. 11 attacks.

A benediction, performance of “Taps,” “God Bless America” and announcement of memorials will follow the keynote address.

Joyce said an effort was made to pull in various members of the community for the program.

“We strived to do that because it just makes the program diverse and everyone gets the opportunity to participate,” he said. “That makes it more important for us.”

Joyce said commemoration of Veterans Day is important for Henry County and beyond.

“It is important everywhere that we remember the veterans we have,” he said. “We need to think about those who will be veterans soon and those will be veterans in the future. We can’t downplay the sacrifices those in the armed services make for people everyday, and we can’t forget.”

The Veterans Wall of Honor at Heritage Park is at 101 Lake Dow Road in McDonough.

Information: (770) 288-7300.