GIG LINE
By Marsha M. Brown
For the past twenty weeks now it has been my honor to write about Veterans and their families. As the proud wife of a Vietnam Veteran I’ve cherished the opportunity to speak to the men and women who not only currently serve but to those who have felt forgotten, misunderstood or taken for granted.
I’ve written from my heart the ‘up front and personal’ accounts of life with a Veteran who loves his country. The observations I’ve made, the knowledge I’ve gained and the testimony I’ve heard from other Veterans has forever touched my heart and my life. Their recollections of war will stay with me always.
Veterans lift me up every single day. It starts in the morning when my husband’s face is the first thing I see realizing how blessed I am that God put him in my life and that he made it back home. Then, I’m reminded further through the course of the day, when I hear that our U. S. Coast Guard – Oregon Inlet successfully rescued a boater or a commercial fisherman who was in trouble. While surfing the TV channels later I watch inspiring interviews with “Wounded Warriors” and listen to their miraculous stories. Later still during the evening news, I’m glued to the set as ships come into port at the Norfolk Naval Base months after deployment from their families – I smile with tearful eyes as hundreds of husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, see each other again and embrace on the dock knowing that some of them are seeing their babies for the first time. After dinner the pride continues – the History channel displays still pictures and live testimonies of the brave, heroic men and women of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Eventually at bedtime, I’m reminded of the very first March GIG LINE story – remember? the clean, soft pillow in a safe place under my sweet husband’s head far from the jungles of Vietnam and his answered prayer to return to his homeland of America. Like I said, Veterans lift me up and I thank them (you) every single day.
This last year has taught me a lot. It’s taught me that we have countless resident and visitor Veterans to this great County of Dare; that we have a Board of Commissioners that recognized and acted on an opportunity to make public our Veterans heroism and honor; that we have a devoted American Legion Post 26, a M.O.A. (Military Officers Association), V.F.W., Blue Star Mothers of America and the new Dare County Veterans Advisory Council just to name a few organizations that are working to further promote the good of all Veterans. Yes, there is much to do with which much has been done already.
GIG LINE is an instrument, if you will, that has reached out to Veterans of all ages and to the families of Veterans who have passed away. This column sometimes touches on very deep feelings but its primary purpose is to thank those of you who have stood up for all of us in these great United States and to let you know that you really aren’t forgotten or taken for granted.
This coming November 3, 2012 a second b-i-g Veterans celebration will be presented at the Manteo First Assembly Church. It’s a greatly expanded event from last year and one you honestly won’t want to miss. It’s being held the Saturday prior to the Veterans three day weekend so you’ll be able to come if you typically travel out of town then. The program will feature a very touching skit, special “live” music, solo performances by a professional Vietnam Veteran bag piper, local singers and performances that will ‘take you back’ in time, a special program by “Fish Stix” and all of it will make you want to stand up and cheer!
If you have served our country or if you have a family member currently serving, please invite them now so they can request time off and bring their whole family. Also, if your active duty service family member will be able to attend, please either contact myself through editor@giglineheroes.com or Pam Buscemi, President of our local chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. at bluestarmomma@gmail.com in advance of that evening. That way, we’ll have notice of any of our active ‘Hometown Heroes’ who may be in the audience that night.
It’s a blessing to me that you read GIG LINE. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments and until next time, be happy, be safe, be proud and stay tuned….