Click the photo above to see the full size image
April 29, 2016 - Loyalty Day was recognized on the Historic Shelby County Courthouse lawn in front of the Shelby County Veterans Memorial on Friday, April 29, 2016. Larry Hume, VFW Post 8904 Quartermaster, led the ceremony and the event opened with a prayer.
Hume gave a brief history of Loyalty Day, "Today is not just about our military or our veterans, it's about all citizens" said Hume. "Loyalty Day originally began as "Americanization Day" in 1921 as a counter to the Communists’ May 1 celebration of the Russian Revolution. On May 1, 1930, 10,000 VFW members staged a rally at New York’s Union Square to promote patriotism. May 1st evolved into Loyalty Day and the first official observance of the day was in 1959 after the signing of Public Law 85-529 on July 18, 1958."
Jerry Lathan performed the honor of placing the Loyalty Wreath on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial. The pledge of allegiance was recited by all present and the ceremony came to a close.
