The Johnston County Veterans Council has cleared a hurdle to hold a special Memorial Day Ceremony. The Smithfield Town Council has approved closing Market Street, between Second and Third Street, on Memorial Day, Monday May 31 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Johnston County Veteran Services Officer Ricky Byrd said a monument on courthouse grounds would be rededicated to honor the most recent victims of war, including five Johnston County residents who have died in conflicts in Iraq. The ceremony will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

"We want to honor veterans," Byrd said. "They protect our rights to do the things we do here." Byrd estimates 14,000 Veterans are now living in Johnston County. Police Chief Michael Scott and Sheriff Steve Bizzell have coordinated efforts to re-route traffic through Downtown Smithfield during the ceremony. Councilman Andy Moore asked if the Memorial Day Ceremony would have any financial impact on the town. He was assured by city leaders that the overtime the officers work would be absorbed in the current police budget.