The number of names on the Moore County Veterans Memorial will climb to 7,408 Saturday when 104 new names are added to the monument.

The annual dedication ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the memorial in the Carriage Oaks Complex at the intersection of U.S. 15-501 and N.C. 24-27 in Carthage.

"Everyone is invited, and we hope everyone will join us Saturday to remember the sacrifice of these men and women," said Joanne Atkins, publicity chairwoman for the Veterans Memorial Committee.

Added to the memorial this year are two military personnel who were killed in action and the names of 102 other veterans.

Although the total is impressive, Atkins said an estimated 2,500 Moore County veterans remain eligible for inclusion but their names have not been submitted by family or friends. This is the number recorded with the Moore County Register of Deeds and does not include a host of other veterans with associations to the county whose names are not recorded here.

Atkins said the committee does not have sufficient funds to add the remaining names and hopes that interested residents will make contributions to close that gap. Contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to the committee in care of the Moore County Veterans Service Office in Carthage.

Joseph Riley, a Marine veteran of World War II, will be the main speaker for the ceremony. The Pinehurst resident was a platoon leader during the invasion of Iwo Jima and received both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for Valor.

The Union Pines High School band will perform a program of patriotic music prior to the 10 a.m. ceremony, and the colors will be presented by the Junior ROTC from Union Pines. Chapter 966 of the Vietnam Veterans of America will conduct the laying of the wreath ceremony.

Ebony and Kyrin Walker-Johnson, students at Union Pines, will sing the National Anthem. The sisters are best known for opening Union Pines ballgames with the National Anthem. Rose Cooper, principal of Carthage Elementary School, and her daughter, Summer Hennings, will present special music.

In keeping with tradition, 21 doves will be released, symbolic of the search for peace. This takes the place of a 21-gun salute.

This is the fourth year that the committee has staged a ceremony at the memorial. The parklike setting is centered by a granite marker bearing emblems of the five military branches and topped by an American eagle. Three flags, the United States, North Carolina and official POW/MIA, fly above the site.

Names of personnel killed in action are engraved on two 3,000-pound black granite slabs. The other names are inscribed on 21 gray granite tablets that fan out from the central marker.

The committee raised funds for the memorial from private sources. Moore County donated the land and provides maintenance for the site. Names of both living and deceased veterans are included on the monument, and a fee of $30 is charged for each name. However, there is no charge for the names of those killed in action.

Quincy Edgerton, of Clinton, is the contractor and designer.

The Moore County Veterans Service Office administers the program, and information about procedures and contributions is available by calling the office at (910) 947-3257.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at (910) 693-2479 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.