Special to The Leader

The 13^th annual tribute to Orange County Veterans will take place at 6 p.m., Sunday, May 29, at the Heritage Veterans Memorial Plaza, 3810 M.L. King Drive in Orange.

Weather permitting the event is held annually on the plaza on the campus of Orange First Church of the Nazarene, the program includes special speakers, patriotic music and more. In the event of inclement weather the event will move indoors.

This year’s program will feature an address by Lieutenant General Marvin D. Brailsford, U.S. Army Retired, of Beaumont.

The patriotic tribute will honor all veterans and those currently serving in the military. The program will also feature the Southeast Texas Color Guard, Patriot Riders Motorcycle Group, Vietnam Veterans Mobil Museum, Orange Community Band and other patriotic music. Complimentary refreshments will be served after the program.

The plaza features the life size sculpture “Tears from a Grateful Heart” by Colorado-based artist Scott Stearman and the names of scores of veterans from Orange County.

Inscribed on plaques incorporated into the plaza are the names of airmen, sailors, soldiers and marines as well as veterans of the U.S. Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

Also featured in the plaza is the ship’s bell from the U.S.S. Dyson. Built in Orange, the U.S.S. Dyson went on to earn the Presidential Unit Citation and 11 battle stars for World War II service.

For more information, call (409) 883-4674