Audie Muphy Monument Wreath Laying

Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club Meetup Group
Veterans Day is coming soon, and Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club is partnering with the Salem Museum ([https://salemmuseum.org/](https://salemmuseum.org/)) , the Daughters of the American Revolution, Roanoke College and others to memorialize the life of Audie Murphy, the decorated WWII hero who lost his life in a plane crash on Brush Mountain in 1971. You can see details of his life in Tim Thornton’s story for the Roanoke Times (attached).
Three of the Civil Air Patrol volunteers who were first responders to the crash are still alive and have helped lead the organization of these two events. They are in their 90s and still full of energy and great stories!
**Wreath-laying on Saturday, November 7 at the Audie Murphy Memorial on the AT** – We will be meeting at the trailhead parking on Brush Mountain at 10 am on November 7 to walk the 0.9 mile to the memorial on the AT and a short side trail. See the attached flyer from the Salem Museum for detailed driving directions which are also below.. The Daughters of the American Revolution will be laying the wreath and RATC member Gary Duerk will play taps after a prayer from the Roanoke College chaplain, Chris Bowen.
*FROM ROANOKE AND SALEM: VA-311 North/Thompson Memorial Drive or from Interstate 81 Exits 141 or 140. At the Hanging Rock/Orange Market traffic circle, remain on VA-311, turning LEFT from Salem or Exit 141 and RIGHT from Exit 140. Continue 9 miles, then turn left onto VA-624. After 6.8 miles, turn RIGHT onto Brush Mountain Road, a gravel route also identified as Forest Service Road 188.1. Travel 1.7 miles, then turn RIGHT while remaining on the gravel road. Continue 1.6 miles and park at or near the gate; the monument is a nine-tenths-mile walk from that point. Carpooling is strongly encouraged, and low-clearance vehicles are not advisable.*
*FROM BLACKSBURG: Starting at junction of N. Main and Mount Tabor Road (Va 624) go 12 miles on Mount Tabor Road, just past Rt. 250. Turn LEFT onto Brush Mountain Road (FS P188.1). Go 1.8 miles and turn RIGHT while remaining on the gravel road. Continue 1.6 miles and park at or near the gate; the monument is a nine-tenths-mile walk from that point. Carpooling is strongly encouraged, and low-clearance vehicles are not advisable.*