Hoover sets new events for Veterans Week

Hoover has numerous new events to honor veterans throughout the month of November.

One of the new events is a Salute to Veterans Ball at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex’s Finley Center on Nov. 8.

One of the new events is a Salute to Veterans Ball at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex’s Finley Center on Nov. 8. It will be a military-style ball with dinner, music, dancing and a speech by retired Army Command Sgt. Major and Medal of Honor recipient Bennie Adkins.

The black-tie event will serve as a fundraiser for the Hoover-based Vettes for Vets organization, which supports housing for homeless veterans and transportation, education support and personal, physical and mental support for veterans.

Tickets cost $125 and can be ordered by contacting Mark Davis at 266-0632 or mkdavis@mindspring.com. Reservations are requested by Nov. 1, but some seats may still be sold the day of the event.

Also on Nov. 8 at the Finley Center, the Alabama National Guard and Soldier Citizens for Life are sponsoring a job fair that will feature companies from a wide variety of fields. It is designed for veterans but open to the public and will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Riverchase Country Club is hosting a care package item collection for Support Our Soldiers through Thanksgiving. Items can also be dropped off at Hoover Fire Station 3. The country club will host a Salute to Veterans Patriot Dinner on Nov. 18 and a golf tournament Nov. 19, both benefiting Vettes for Vets. Call 988-4140 for more information.

The city of Hoover Veterans Committee also has numerous events scheduled:

► Kickoff celebration: A celebration at the Hoover Public Library Theatre at 2 p.m. on Nov. 4, including a patriotic concert, reception and flag-folding ceremony.

► Veterans Memorial Arbor Rededication: There will be a short ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Arbor at Aldridge Gardens at 10 a.m. on Nov. 5. 

► Flag-folding ceremonies: Ceremonies will be held at 4:45 p.m. daily Nov. 5 to 8 at the Hoover Public Library. 

► Veterans and Family Empowerment Expo: The Hoover Public Library is holding a free expo from 1-5 p.m. on Nov. 17 to help veterans and families transition to civilian life.

► Other activities: The library will display military uniforms and a table saluting prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action. Patrons can submit photographs for display on a Wall of Honor, and children can create gifts for patients at Birmingham’s VA Hospital.