In the wake of the impending deactivation of the 900th Maintenance Company of the Alabama National Guard in Brundidge, the Brundidge Business Association is extending its plans for the annual Independence Day celebration to include a salute to the 900th, which has been a mainstay in Brundidge since 1953.

Delatha Mobley, BBA member, said the City of Brundidge and the Pike County Veterans Affairs Office will join the BBA as it honors all veterans at its annual “Salute to Veterans” program with special recognition to the 900th Maintenance Company.

Mobley expressed appreciation to the Alabama National Guard for making the National Guard Armory available to the BBA for the Independence Day celebration.

The “2017 Salute to Veterans” will be at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 23 at the Fort Wendell K. Taylor National Guard Armory in Brundidge.

“The 900th has meant so much to the Brundidge community over the years and we want to let them know how much we appreciate the service of the men and women of the 900th, past and present, said Randy Ross, Pike County Veterans Affairs office.

“The 900th has served with distinction and with pride on the home-front and overseas. We owe them a great debt of gratitude, one that we can never fully repay. Nor can we ever repay the men and women who have answered our country’s call, in times of peace and times of war.”

Ross said the annual “Salute to Veterans” is only a token of appreciation for all veterans, past and present.

Plans for the ‘Salute’ include a short patriot program, music and refreshments.

“Mainly, it’s a time for our extended community to come together for a time of fellowship and to say ‘thank you for your service,” Ross said.

“Although we are disappointed that the 900th is being deactivated, that does not diminish what they have accomplished over this years. So, the ‘Salute’ will be a time of reflection and celebration – a happy time and a good time. We have much to celebrate.

“For all our faults, we still live in the greatest country in the world.”

Ross said, according to what he understands, the 900th Maintenance Company is set for deactivation and the Fort Wendell K. National Guard Armory will be remodeled and another National Guard Unit will be assigned to it.

No definite time frame has been set.