Town of Cary
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Memorial Day Remembrance
Monday, May 25, 2026 | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Veterans Freedom Park
More information on the 2026 program will be available closer to the event.
Veterans Day Observance
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | 11 a.m. - noon
Veterans Freedom Park
More information on the 2026 program will be available closer to the event.
2025 Speakers
Memorial Day
Paul Berry
Triangle Network Senior Director
Veterans Bridge Home
Paul Berry joined Veterans Bridge Home in October 2020. Prior to coming to Veterans Bridge Home, Paul worked for the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs where he served as the Military Installations Coordinator. Paul also works for the USO of North Carolina where he serves as the NCServes Central Carolina Network Director.
Paul served in the United States Marine Corps for 30 years, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major. He was stationed in several locations around the world that include Ghana, South Korea, Poland, Morocco, Somalia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Paul earned the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (2 awards), combat action ribbon, and many more individual and unit awards.
Paul currently serves as the co-chair of the North Carolina Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families and the Wake County Veterans Suicide Awareness and Firearms Education working group. Paul also assists in coordinating the efforts of the six Community Veterans Engagement Boards in North Carolina.
Veterans Day
Ron Brigham
Marine Corps Veteran
Ron is a native North Carolinian from Albemarle (Stanly County) North Carolina. He and his wife Willa, have called Cary home since 1993. They have been blessed with two sons, Jason Brigham (Qatar) and the late Jarett Brigham, along with 4 grandchildren.
Ron earned a BS in Business Administration from the University of NC at Chapel Hill in 1972, a Juris Doctor (JD) from Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington, IN in 1975 and an MBA from National University in San Diego, CA in 1979. He was admitted to the NC Bar in 1975.
He served in the United States Marine Corp from 1975 to 1979 as a JAG officer (Attorney) with duty stations in Quantico, VA, Newport, RI and Camp Pendleton, CA. Following his military service, Ron spent the next 41 years of his professional career in Human Resources with Mobil, Kodak, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and Fareva.
Ron is a Life Member of the Marine Corps League, America Legion, Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), a Life Member of the National Black MBA Association and the National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS).
Ron is also in his 2nd, 3-year term, as a member of the Senior Advisory Board for the town of Cary. If you venture by Buffalo Lanes in Cary on Tuesdays, you may see Ron bowling with the Cary Strikers of the Senior Bowling League. Ron has been a member of Lincolnville AME Church on Chapel Hill Road for the past 31 years. Should you be passing by on a Sunday morning, drop in for one of Ron’s Sunday School classes and stay for the morning service afterwards.
2025 Operation Green Light
Cary was proud to join Wake County Government in honoring service veterans November 4 - 11 by participating in Operation Green Light. Leading up to Veterans Day, the front of the Cary Arts Center was lit in green.
2025 Field of Flags - Veterans Day
Veterans Bridge Home, Parexel, and Boy Scout Troop 200 will place a Field of Flags at Veterans Freedom Park in honor of those who have served in the armed forces.
Veterans Bridge Home is an organization that works to connect veterans and their families, in any state of transition, to the community. You can learn more about them here.