Published: Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009 / Updated: Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009 12:46 PM

Veterans memorial this Friday

Hundreds of military veterans and their families will join local and state leaders Friday to celebrate Rock Hill's first public veterans memorial.

City officials and veterans groups have spent years planning the memorial, situated in a new section of Glencairn Garden on Charlotte Avenue.

Workers rushed to finish the construction in time for Veterans Day.

A 10 a.m. program features an honor guard, bagpipers, military bands and speeches and performances by more than a dozen dignitaries, including S.C. Adjutant General Stan Spears.

Service members will unveil emblems of the six military branches.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and take shuttle vans from the nearby Garden Sanctuary Church.

PLANNING TO GO?

GETTING IN

The event is free. No tickets are necessary. Invited dignitaries will sit in reserved seats close to the stage.

Bleachers open to the public will offer good views, organizers say. People can also stand next to the bleachers.

PARKING

Parking is available at Garden Sanctuary Church, 831 Cedar Street. A shuttle service will give rides to the ceremony.

Elderly and handicapped people can be dropped off in a special zone near the learning center on Edgemont Avenue.

Attendees can park on side streets around the garden.

WEATHER

The forecast calls for plenty of sunshine with temperatures in the upper 40s. In case of bad weather, check for status updates at RockHillRocks.com.

The rain date is Friday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m.

QUESTIONS

Call the city's Parks, Recreation & Tourism office at 329-5620.