Community Corner

Hundreds of Volunteers Will Light the Night

Korean War veterans to be honored through simultaneous candlelight tribute and digital media stream

Fort Bragg Communities of Cumberland County today announced a digital and physical candlelight tribute campaign, #Light141, as the kick off to its third annual Heroes Homecoming celebration.  #Light141, so called because its aim is to light one candle for each one of the Korean War’s participants, will consist of a physical candlelight tribute walk as well as a virtual social media campaign.  

At 6pm on November 8, over one-hundred citizens and veterans will join together to illuminate the streets of downtown Fayetteville in a tribute walk. Departing from North Carolina Veterans Park in Fayetteville, participants will travel down Hay Street to the Arts Council building, carrying lit candles as a symbol of gratitude and remembrance for those that served in the “Forgotten War.” The tribute event starts at 6pm with a kickoff ceremony. Candles will be provided to all participants free-of-charge, courtesy of Sam’s Club of Fayetteville, the event’s sponsor.  Club Manager Mike Zalampas commented, “We are thrilled to be working with The Army’s Army on #Light141, and can’t wait to see our candles light the night in celebration of Korean War Veterans.”

For its digital campaign, #Light141 will encourage participants all over the country to virtually join this special tribute on Facebook and Twitter by using the hashtag #Light141.  In addition, users will be able to download a custom designed candle graphic to post and share on their profiles, demonstrating their solidarity in support of Korean War veterans in a visually compelling way. A special page, set up at HeroesHomecoming.com will stream all the #Light141 posts throughout the evening’s events.  

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"Light 141 will be a beautiful tribute to the veterans of the Korean War, and a memorable way to kick off Heroes Homecoming III,” commented John Meroski, CEO of the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (FACVB). “Encouraging participation both locally and digitally will help veterans understand more broadly that our nation has not forgotten their sacrifice and struggle."

“The Army’s Army designed the #Light141 campaign as a way to allow veterans, family members, and patriots across the nation to express their support for Korean War Veterans, even if they are unable to join us in Fayetteville,” said Janine West, Executive Director of The Army’s Army.  “It will be thrilling to see such a moving representation of how widely our veterans are supported, both on the ground and virtually.”

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At the conclusion of the tribute, participants will be invited inside the Art Council building for a special free screening of the final MASH episode, the most watched television finale in history.  The following day, three of the cast members from MASH, Jamie Farr (Corporal Klinger), Loretta Swit (Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan), and William Christopher (Father Mulcahy) will join veterans in Fayetteville for the remainder of Heroes Homecoming III.

Sponsored by The Army’s Army, Heroes Homecoming III will feature a series of tributes, exhibits, recognition ceremonies and events remembering soldiers of The Korean War.  The celebration takes place November 8-11 in Fayetteville, NC.  For more information on Heroes Homecoming III, and for a full event itinerary, visit: www.heroeshomecoming.com

To see the stream of #Light141 posts, click here.

About Heroes Homecoming:

Fort Bragg Communities of Cumberland County created Heroes Homecoming as a way of showing recognition and appreciation to all veterans for their courage, their sacrifice and everything they do to defend this country’s freedom – now and forever. The Fayetteville area has always had a unique bond with veterans, as the point of departure and return for hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Fayetteville has hosted Heroes Homecoming since 2011, helping it to become the largest commemoration and reunion of its kind. From concerts and parades, to lectures and movie viewings, cultural celebrations and recognition ceremonies, all of the events at Heroes Homecoming recognize the service and sacrifice of our brave veterans. 

About Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau:
The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (FACVB) is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Fort Bragg Communities of Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. For additional information, visit www.visitfayettevillenc.com or call 1-800-255-8217. 

About The Army’s Army: 

The Army’s Army is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization made up of citizens and businesses who have pledged their support to those in the military. We do everything we can to make soldiers, veterans and their families feel welcome, appreciated and safe. The Army’s Army is dedicated to “watching over those who watch over us©.” For additional information, please visit www.armysarmy.comor www.brieffromthefront.com



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