For the third year, Roanoke Valley Veterans Council is partnering with the City of Roanoke to plant a tree in honor of all veterans on the Friday before Veterans Day. With assistance from Roanoke Tree Stewards and Roanoke Parks and Recreation Department, RVVC members will plant a white oak near the corner of Reserve Avenue and Jefferson Street.
The location is near the site of the former armory for the Virginia Army National Guard – 29th Division, which was constructed in 1954 and demolished in 2010. The planting also honors the 100th anniversary of the National Defense Act of 1920, which reorganized the Army of the United States into three components: the Regular Army, the National Guard, and the Organized Reserve.
The group planted a scarlet oak in Argonne Circle at the intersection of King George Avenue and 4th Street in 2018 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the armistice ending WWI. Last year, they planted another scarlet oak in Entranceway Park, across the intersection of Wells Avenue and Williamson Road from the site of the former American Legion Auditorium in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the founding of The American Legion.
The event is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 6. Contact Council Member and RVVC treasurer Bill Bestpitch at [email protected] for details.
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