Shown are just a few of the ten oversized storyboards, which will be display in the Gallery of Honor at Trinity Episcopal Church.

For the tenth consecutive year, Trinity Episcopal Church in Wetumpka will host Elmore County's Annual Tribute to Veterans.  This year the much anticipated Veterans Day musical extravaganza and Galley Honor will take place on the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day; now know in the United States as Veterans Day. This year's featured speaker will be Nimrod Frazer, a retired businessman, veteran, and author.  Nimrod “Rod” Frazer has authored two recently published books highlighting Alabama’s fighting men during the war in the fields of France. His book, “Send the Alabamians” is a well-researched account of the 167th Infantry Regimen of the Rainbow division. Frazer’s father was a soldier in this Regimen. A bronze sculpture, gifted by Frazer now stands in Montgomery's Union Station as a tribute to the 3,600 Alabamian guardsmen who boarded the train there to go and fight in World War I.  The sculpture was created by British artist, James Butler, and is a recast of the one that sits on Croix Rouge Farm in France today. Frazer, a veteran himself of the Korean War, received the Silver Star for injuries he sustained in the Korean conflict. Frazer will be available for book signings before and after the concert in the Gallery of Honor.

The Gallery of Honor will feature 10 large storyboards contributed by the Dixie Art Colony Foundation. The boards include highlights of Dixie Art Colony co-founder Kelly Fitzpatrick's service in World War I. One of the boards also features photographs and information about a communion set once used by Trinity Episcopal Church vicar, The Rev. Edwin R. Carter to serve the Holy Sacrament to General George Patton and other dignitaries such as King George VI. Other boards feature the history of music in warfare, the history of the “Missing Man Table.”

Additions to this year’s Gallery of Honor include a video produced by the Dixie Art Colony Foundation about the history of World War I and Veterans Day. The foundation will also have a small display explaining the impact of World War II on the Dixie Art Colony and its participants. Included in this display will be examples artwork created by DAC artists Sgt. Arthur Stewart his service in World War II.

All area residents are encouraged to bring photographs and other items related to their military service or that of their family members for display in the “Gallery of Honor.” Dixie Art Colony Foundation founder Mark Harris will have a large full-length portrait of his grandfather Andrew Jackson Turner dressed in his World War I uniform on display.

The “Gallery of Honor” will open at 4:00 pm on Sunday, November 11 in Trinity Hall at Trinity Episcopal Church. The gallery will also be open during the reception after the concert. Those wishing be include items in the gallery, must deliver and setup items no later than 3:30 pm. For more information about participating in the “Gallery of Honor,” contact Linda Summey at 334-580-0447.

The concert will begin at 6:30 pm. Once again the performances will delight the audiences with patriotic songs, lively entertainment and personal recognition of veterans of all branches of service. The featured choir will be the Montgomery Chorale under the direction of Dr. James Seay. The Belle Fleurs, a trio of singers performing in the Andrew Sisters style of World War II, will once again perform “Boogey Woogey Bugle Boy” with Melanie Perry of Tallassee on the trumpet. Nathaniel Graham of Montgomery will regale the audience with his tear-provoking performance of “God Bless America.” For the 10th year, “Stars and Stripes Forever” will ring out in the 6-handed style of Trinity Church’s trio: Charlotte Henderson, Barbara Davis and Elizabeth “Ebba” Dunn. Other performers will include Robert “Robby” Glasscock, percussionist; Justin Hardin, flutist/piccolo; Mack Daugherty, piano; and Trinity’s own Sarah Cater, organist and pianist. Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 5375 US Highway 231 in Wetumpka.

A reception will follow the concert in the “Gallery of Honor.” Refreshments will include a delicious cake prepared by McKinney Cakes of Montgomery and delights provided by the Trinity Episcopal Church Women’s organization. All aspects of this event are free of charge.

Sponsors & Contributors to Concert & Gallery of Honor: America Legion; Trinity Episcopal Church, Wetumpka and Parishioners; Russell Lands, Inc., Lake Martin; Guardian Credit Union; PrimeSouth Bank; First Community Bank; River Bank & Trust; Winn-Dixie of Wetumpka; Domino’s of Wetumpka; ECW of Trinity Wetumpka; Mark Harris, mhcCreative; McKinney Cakes of Montgomery; Austin’s Flowers & Gifts of Slapout; Wind Creek Casino, Wetumpka; Walter Dowdle, Madix Corporation, Goldwater; The Wetumpka Herald, Wetumpka; Camellia Veterinary Hospital, Wetumpka.

Gallery of Honor Storyboard & Video Sponsors: Chuck's Marina Inc.: Greg Harris and Jane Garrett Harris, Dadeville; Mark Harris, mhcCreative, Wetumpka; Dixie Art Colony Foundation, Wetumpka.