Today is Veterans Day, the observance is intended to thank living vets for their service and contributions to our national security. This morning at 11 o'clock, various marching bands will lead a procession down Dexter Avenue in Montgomery's Annual Veterans Day parade. Retired Army Colonel Edgar Smith of Montgomery is the Grand Marshal. He says many post 9/11 combat veterans face a tougher challenge to return to civilian life. Another Army veteran is 100-year-old Willie Lee Wright of Pike Road who served during World War II who said going off to war is never easy.
Child Murder Charge
Police say an 8-year-old Birmingham boy has been charged with beating a 1-year-old girl to death while they were left home alone. Birmingham police say a murder warrant has been obtained against the boy and that 26-year-old Katerra Lewis also is charged with manslaughter in the death of her daughter, 1-year-old Kelci Lewis. Police say several children ranging from age 2 to 8 were left alone while Katerra Lewis and a friend went to a nightclub October 11th. Authorities said the girl began crying while the children were alone, and the boy attacked her. Edwards says the two youngsters are not related. Lewis was released on a $15,000 bond. Birmingham authorities say the boy is in state custody.
Veterans Memorial
The man who led efforts to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial says it's time such a wall be built for post 9/11 combat veterans, even though service members are still dying in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jan Scruggs said it will require action from Congress to overturn the Commemorative Works Act, which stipulates that work cannot begin until 10 years after a war has ended. Scruggs said the law is out of touch with today's conflicts, which do not have clear-cut endings.
October Sales
Hyundai officials say the Montgomery assembly plant manufactured more than 35,000 cars short of the automaker's all-time production record set in July. Hyundai Motor America reported another record sales month in October, up to 20 percent from the same period last year. The Montgomery plant also is preparing to build a re-designed version of the Elantra car. Hyundai will introduce the new look Elantra sedan on November 18th at the Los Angeles auto show.