The public is invited to the ninth annual tribute to Orange County veterans 6 p.m. Sunday, May 27 at the Heritage Veterans Memorial Plaza, 3810 M.L. King Drive in Orange. The event is free.

Held annually on the plaza on the campus of Orange First Church of the Nazarene, the program includes special speakers, patriotic music and more.

The event will feature greetings from J. M. Hedge, assistant director of the Houston Veterans Affairs Regional Office. Hedge, a seven-year veteran of the United States Army and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, has 30 years of Federal governmental service including nine years with the Department of Justice. His VA career began in 1998 in Houston where he has filled several roles of increasing responsibility.

As assistant director, he supports the director in administering a wide array of benefits to nearly 800,000 veterans and their families living in 90 counties in Texas as well as veterans living in Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.  

The patriotic tribute will honor all veterans and those currently serving in the military.

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) 882-1816.