GIG LINE
By Marsha M. Brown
May I have your attention please? J Resident Dare County veterans, please note: this coming Wednesday, August 5th, 2015 Billy and I will issue Dare County Veteran I. D. Card(s) at the Hatteras Community Center located 57689 NC-12, Hatteras, N.C. 27943 between the hours of 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM for your convenience. As most of you know, the Community Center is the building behind the Dare County Library between the U. S. Post Office & the Hatteras Fire Department left side Highway 12, Hatteras Village.
Regardless what area of Dare County you live, all veterans are invited to come and the only requirement for obtaining the “CARD” is that you present your DD-214 showing ‘Honorable Discharge’ and your local Driver’s License or picture I. D. The Dare County issued Veteran I. D. Card(s) will enable you to receive discounts at approximately 50 businesses on the Outer Banks including eateries, auto & marine parts, gift shops, hardware, home improvement and so much more…and…the discounts range from 10% – 20% thanks to the goodness of our business owners from Hatteras Island north & Roanoke Island who wish to show you their appreciation for your service to our country!
If…if…you cannot find your DD-214, we won’t be able to issue your I. D. Card but if you come anyway we’ll show you how to go online to request a DD-214 duplicate or refer you to Dare County Veteran Service Officer, Rhonda Creef, in Manteo. We’ll also have free Veteran Benefit Booklets & the new NC4VETS Resource Guide(s) to hand out as well. PLEASE take the time now to locate your DD-214 (it’s extremely important) to bring with you. Also, we understand that many of you may have a V.A. or government issued military service I. D. card and/or a copy of your HONORABLE DISCHARGE Certificate however, the DD-214 is the critical document that we need to see in order to issue your Card.
Another thing to think about…IF you cannot locate your DD-214 by Wednesday but you have filed a V.A. claim in the past and you are in the V.A. system, that could help as well…so please come anyway. We want to thank you for your service, provide you with updated materials that could help you and your spouse (family) and make you aware of other factors you may or may not know but NEED to know, O.K.? We’ll be looking for you!
Our very important veterans and your family members need to stay abreast of activities and events that are coming up in the months ahead. Please stay ‘in the loop’ by continuing to read ‘GIG LINE’. We also recommend that you periodically check the Dare County Web site www.darenc.com where you’ll find relative information, updated listings of businesses which participate in the I. D. Card discount program; veteran sponsored meetings such as the Outer Banks V.F.W. Post 10950 which meet monthly; next meeting being Monday, August 3rd @ 7:00 P.M. Colington Fire Dept., 108 Old School House Rd., Colington and there is an elevator on site. The American Legion Post 26 (meetings resume again in September on the 4th @ 12 Noon where lunch is served, 302 W. Lake Dr., Kill Devil Hills.
Many veterans who live between Rodanthe and Hatteras Village are familiar with the establishment of the Hatteras Island Veteran’s Memorial Park in Hatteras Village (beside the Hatterasman Drive In) this past May. The ‘Park’ was fondly initiated by U. S. Army veteran and business owner Frank Miller (Hatteras Drive In). Veterans from everywhere meet at Frank’s restaurant regularly (not only for the food) but to keep and grow the comradery between all who have served our nation. Just in case you aren’t aware…they have meetings regularly to increase awareness of the vast number of veterans who live, work and worship on Hatteras Island and Dare County overall for that matter. So, if you can come see us on August 5th at the Community Building, we’ll provide you with a schedule of ALL veteran related Dare County events (that we know of) between now and December 31st.
If you are a member of an organization within Dare County through your church, work, school, civic etc. that is planning to promote, honor and celebrate our veterans, please get in touch with us…we want to help you get the word out so that all veterans can attend if they’re able. My sweetie pie Billy’s cell: (252) 202-0798 and mine is: (252) 202-2058, please call us if you have a question or if we can be of help in some way. We are actively involved and both members of the Dare County Veterans Advisory Council and he’s intricately involved in the American Legion Post 26 and the Outer Banks V.F.W. Post 10950…in fact; he received a call just last week advising him that he is now the Senior Vice Commander of the 1st District V.F.W. North Carolina. Billy and all of the officers and members of both organizations want and need your commitment too…to help find ways to serve your veteran family members. If you are not a current member of either prestigious veteran organization, please consider joining, renewing or transferring your membership to our local Posts. The veterans I’ve met and come to personally know are dedicated to fellow veterans and they would greatly appreciate your participation in their meetings, social activities and fund raisers. Once involved, you would see what they’re actually doing to help your ‘brother and sister’ veterans locally especially and it would make you proud. Numerous and NEW special veteran events are coming up wonderful people…so keep reading GIG LINE and I’ll do my best to keep you informed. O-kee-do-kee?
Until next time, we hope to see you on August 5th in Hatteras or each Monday in Manteo at the Dare County Administrative Bldg, Room 142 between 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (unless a federal holiday or the building is closed for some other reason). In the mean time take care, be happy, be safe and be proud…we have much to be proud of because of what you (veterans) have done for all of us. Get involved and God bless you. Stay tuned!