Memorial Day we honor the men and women who have served and who are in service to our great nation; sacrificing their lives to preserve our Liberty. Lt. Governor Winsome Earl-Sears is the embodiment of excellence in service. As a Marine Veteran, former Salvation Army Director, who is now the first female Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the first Black female elected to statewide office; the historic Washington Street Baptist Church in the town of Bedford have chosen to honor Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears this Memorial Day Weekend during their annual Women’s Day event.
Upon arrival in Bedford on Saturday, May 27, Sears will visit the Bedford Boys Tribute Center. As women in service is the theme for the holiday weekend, Sears will tour small businesses owned and operated by women and minorities. Afterwards, she will enjoy a special performance by the Little Town Players followed by a special presentation and tour of the Bower Center for the Arts, among other attractions.
Sunday, May 28, Sears is one of two guests of honor to speak at the Historic Washington Street Baptist Church at 11 a.m. The church is honoring the Lt. Governor for her military service and extraordinary, accomplishments. She is to receive its annual Women’s Day Achievement Award. This is followed by a luncheon at the church and a meet-and-greet with Bedford County students at the storied Susie G. Gibson Science and Technology Center.
Memorial Day, Monday May 29, the Lt. Governor visits the D-Day National Memorial, where she will lay the Marine Corps wreath, and in the afternoon takes part in the Memorial Day Ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery in Bedford.
Below is her schedule. All times are tentative.
Saturday, May 27
- Arrival 9:30 a.m.
- 10 a.m.: Bridge Street Cafe
- 10:30-11:15 a.m.: Bedford Boys Tribute Center. She will be using the new education auditorium as her base of operations while here.
- 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Bedford Farmer’s Market
- 12:05-1:05 p.m.: Little Town Players Tour and Special Performance
- 1:10-2:10 p.m.: Lunch at Olde Liberty Station
- 2:25-3:25 p.m.: Little Otter Flower Farm
- 3:3-4:30 p.m.: Bedford Small Business Tour continued:
- Rapid Printing
- Terrace Blooms
- The Stitch Witch
- Goose Creek Studio
- The Bistro
- The Well, Owner
- 5-5:30 p.m.: The Bower Center for the Arts tour
- 6:30 p.m.: Private Dinner
Sunday, May 28
- 10:45 a.m.: Washington Street Baptist Church arrival, service begins at 11 a.m.
- 1 p.m.: Lunch, Washington Street Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
- 3-5 p.m.: Tour with Town Councilman Bob Carson and members of the Bedford County School Board and staff of the Susie G. Gibson Science and Technology Center. (Because the graduation of all local high schools will have happened Saturday night, the Superintendent may not be available.) After the tour, a meet and greet with students in the Susie G. Gibson auditorium.
Monday, May 29 — Memorial Day
- 10 a.m.: Private tour of the National D-Day Memorial and wreath laying
- 12:30 p.m.: Arrive at The Bedford Boys’ Tribute Center Luncheon at the Education Auditorium
- 1:50 p.m.: Arrival for BIA Memorial Day Cemetery Ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery, speech and honors to those who sacrificed their lives for Liberty
