Photo courtesy of Larry Middleton

In early October, the local NAACP branch held its Freedom Fund Banquet, and Allen Palmer (right), assistant treasurer of the local chapter, received the 2009 Nannie B. Hairston Community Service Award. Nannie Hairston is also shown in the photo.

Photo courtesy of Brian Lyerly

From left: Sherman Lee, Walter Price Jr., Robert "Bubbles" Jones and, in the back, Curtis Tolliver attend the second annual Veterans Day ceremony Sunday at Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church in Christiansburg. The event was sponsored by the Montgomery County/Radford City/Floyd County branch of the NAACP.

| Jim Klagge

Montgomery County/Radford City/Floyd County branch, NAACP

The Montgomery County/Radford City/Floyd County branch of the NAACP recently held two events to recognize efforts by those in the community.

On Sunday, the local chapter of the NAACP sponsored its second annual Veterans Day ceremony at Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church in Christiansburg.

The master of ceremonies was Anthony Teele, veteran of the U.S. Navy.

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Color Guard presented the colors, and the Glorylanders sang a rendition of the national anthem.

The program listed 260 of the living veterans in the New River Valley, the largest number being from Christiansburg. These names were read aloud by five members of the Youth Chapter of the NAACP: Tiffany Johnson, Marquis Sills, Tiffany Blassingame, Theo Sanders and Alyssa Sims.

About 35 veterans were present for the ceremony. Six people on active duty were mentioned before a prayer by Keturah Bishop.

The recognition was followed by a rousing reading of the poem "Veterans Day Tribute" by youth member Andrew Palmer.

The guest speaker was Rear Admiral Julius Caesar, who was born in Radford, and is the first black New River Valley native to reach the rank of admiral.

He spoke on "Diversity in the Military." This was followed by remarks by Lt. Col. William Stringer of the Corps of Cadets.

After the color guard retired the colors, two cadets played taps responsively. The ceremony was followed by refreshments in the fellowship hall of the church, where people viewed displays about New River Valley veterans, including some from World War I and World War II.

About 150 people attended the celebration.

In early October, the local NAACP branch held its Freedom Fund Banquet.

The banquet was attended by 434 members and supporters, including renowned poet and Virginia Tech professor Nikki Giovanni, who spoke at the event.

The banquet celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the national NAACP and the 50th anniversary of the official incorporation of the local chapter.

Highlighting the event was the recognition of Allen Palmer, assistant treasurer of the local chapter, who received the 2009 Nannie B. Hairston Community Service Award.

Palmer is a member of the Rosa Peters Playground, Christiansburg Rotary Club, Asbury United Methodist Church and has served on the Freedom Fund Committee since 2007.

He volunteers in the community, transporting older residents and others who need a ride to vote, to doctor's office appointments and to and from NAACP meetings.

Branch president the Rev. Glenn Orr said Palmer was very deserving of the prestigious award.

"Allen does what needs to be done," Orr said. "He's always involved and working hard.

"He's not the kind of leader that directs; he's the leader that sets an example for others to follow."

Palmer lives in Christiansburg with his wife, Roxie, whom he has been married to for more than 43 years. He has two children, Aaron and Angela.