FAIRHOPE, Ala. - Come to the Fairhope pier to meet and thank our men and women who are protecting our freedoms. On Sunday afternoon members of the National Guard with their vehicles will be available to all citizens.

It will be a wonderful opportunity for children and adults to see and talk to our local heroes. Members of the 1165th Military Police Company will be displaying their Humvees as a chance for local citizens to take pictures of our men and women in uniform and talk with them about their experience. The pier gathering will give folks a chance to meet with members of the 1165th who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as chat with many new members, who will depart for their first tour of these troubled countries in January. What better way to show your support for our Alabama citizen soldiers than to look them in the eye, shake their hand and thank them for their service to our country. Local veterans from earlier conflicts will also be on hand to share their history.

Donations for the Fairhope Veterans Memorial will be accepted. This beautiful and moving tribute to our veterans and their families will be located on the bluff overlooking the Fairhope Municipal Pier and Rose Garden. Donations are needed to complete what will be a beautiful asset for the south Alabama region.

The soldiers and veterans will be at the pier from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3, and again on Sunday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 23.

This will be a great opportunity to show your children living history and a taste of patriotism.

For more information, please call Joe Birindelli, the event organizer, at 928-3292.