The James B. Crump VFW Post 2423, American Legion Post 458, and the Town of Indian Trail are partnering to host a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 29, at 11 a.m. This year, the James B. Crump VFW Post will host the ceremony at their location (100 VFW Lane).
The ceremony will open with a Benediction and then a welcome from Indian Trail Mayor David Cohn, followed by the Presentation of Colors by the VFW.
Joe Carranti, commander of the James B. Crump VFW, and Ken Wise, vice commander of the American Legion, will give their remarks ahead of the event’s keynote speaker, Michael Stubbs, commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Combat Wounded Veterans Chapter 634.
Stubbs joined the military in 1966 and served in Vietnam in the Alpha and Delta Companies, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, and 1st Infantry Division. He served as an infantry rifleman, machine gunner, infantry squad leader, and tunnel rat. During his tour in Vietnam, Stubbs was wounded three times, twice with shrapnel. The third time, he was shot in the neck and sprayed with shrapnel, ending his tour. After recovering, he became a drill instructor at Fort Jackson until leaving the service in 1968. For his service and acts of bravery, Stubbs received a Silver Star, two Bronze Star Medals with the V device for Valor, a Purple Heart, and a Combat Infantryman Badge. He is also featured in two books about the Vietnam War, “They Marched Into Sunlight” by David Maraniss and “June 17, 1967: The Battle of Xom Bo II” by David Hearne.
Stubbs retired as a senior project manager from Lucent Technologies in 2000 after 34 years of service. He is now the commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Combat Wounded Veterans Chapter 634. In 2014, he became the 2014-2015 Military Order of the Purple Heart National Patriot of the Year. In 2018, he was a member of the first inductees’ class into the North Carolina Military Veterans Hall of Fame. Stubbs has been married to his wife, Carolyn, for 54 years. They have two daughters, five grandchildren, and a great-grandson.
After Stubbs’ keynote speech, the ceremony will close with a three-round volley and the Retirement of Colors by the VFW.
“The Town of Indian Trail is proud to partner with the VFW and American Legion to host this Memorial Day Ceremony,” said Cohn. “And I would like to give a special thanks to Commander Michael Stubbs for being a part of our event and for your service to our country. We are grateful to the brave men and women who have selflessly served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedoms. Please join us to honor our fallen heroes and remember their sacrifices.”