GIG LINE
By Marsha M. Brown
Personally, I welcome 2017! But…before I tell you why specifically; I want to thank all of our outstanding veterans, friends and church family who were here for us in 2016.
Our Dare County veteran community rallied around our family from the second you knew that your ‘brother’ (my husband) Billy was gravely ill. You called, visited, sat at his bedside, prayed for and with him, held his hand, read to him, kept him current on meetings he missed while hospitalized in Durham; you brought food and monetary gifts and hugs and incredible support to our home; you made calls in his behalf, attended and volunteered at a special event held in his honor; you were here in body, mind and spirit to show love and care to your fellow soldier. You will never know how much each of you has meant to our children, Bill and Bonnie, nor fully grasp our gratitude for your love during the most horrible time in our lives. You came to the hospitals, you forwarded hundreds of emails to fellow veterans whom you knew would care about the status of his health, you showed the utmost respect to someone in your ‘fold’ and you never weaned from it or grew weary of the attention or time you invested to encourage him while facing a permanent departure from this world into another…his heavenly home. You came the morning following his passing to tell us you were here for us (for your comrade) to help in any way you could…you were warriors for good…you stood fast and strong and no matter which military branch you had served…you were all alike – devoted, sincere and determined to look out for, protect and ‘cover’. You were there as Color Guards at his service marching side-by-side honoring his life; you spoke at the podium in his behalf and you boasted Billy’s love of country…and fellow veterans…and family…and God. You…all of you…gave us strength and courage and even more pride. It goes without saying that having served our nation, you are all heroes…but from my heart and all who loved Billy…the term ‘heroes’ is an understatement. For my sweet, sweet husband I thank you too. He would have been…no, I am sure he is…so very proud of you and so, so grateful. God bless each one of you and your families…we love you all.
I look forward to 2017 because of the promise it brings…especially to our local veterans. The Outer Banks V.F.W. Post 10950 is in the process of organizing an Auxiliary to further help promote and support our veterans. They will hold their first meeting of the New Year on Monday, January 9th at 7 PM in their typical meeting place – the Colington Fire Department (upstairs) and an elevator is onsite. According to veteran Carl Reiber, the “head of the V.F.W. Auxiliary” will plan to attend who is very anxious to see things get underway. P-L-E-A-S-E, embrace the importance and significance of this meeting! If you’re interested in initially joining the V.F.W. or transferring your membership to Post 10950 this is a great way to start the New Year. And…if you are currently a member,
P-L-E-S-E encourage your spouse, children, father, mother, grandchildren, brothers or sisters to join the new Auxiliary group. To join, they must be at least 16 years old and Citizens of the United States. The V.F.W. Auxiliary accomplishes wonderful things including offering ‘scholarships’ and ‘promoting patriotism’ but first…we need members to establish the Auxiliary itself. I ask you very sincerely…and from the bottom of my heart…please help the members of Post 10950 help our vets. If you can attend, you will bring big smiles to very deserving men and women who have done tremendous work already getting the Post active and growing again! They have successfully hosted fundraising events that have in turn helped our veterans and their families…here locally. If you cannot attend a V.F.W. or Auxiliary monthly meeting.,.its O.K. but they have to have members to sign up to officially establish an Auxiliary, so they really need your help. I know first hand what it’s like to experience a major heartbreak and realize the help and support from V.F.W. and American Legion members and an Auxiliary is an extension of our veterans.
What I expect in this 2017 now upon us is increased awareness of the veterans around us…further connecting one veteran to another and another and another…additional perks relating to their Dare County Veteran I. D. Card discounts…a deeper love and support toward our veterans than ever before and an eagerness to show other counties and communities across North Carolina just what love we feel for our heroes in Dare County. We are doing great things for the greatest of people…our veterans…lets keep it up! J
Thank you for your daily prayers for our troops deployed…for their parents, spouses and loved ones who miss them…and thank you in advance for your increased interest in supporting our Outer Banks V.F.W. Post 10950, American Legion Post 26 and Marine Corps League Outer Banks Detachment #1264.
In Dare County we have an outstanding 4,000+ veterans who live and work among us. Can you believe that? Pretty incredible! Until next time, be happy, be safe and be proud…how in the world could we not be? If you have a question, comment or if you know of a vet who needs help, please call my cell: (252) 202-2058 or write to me at: editor@giglineheroes.com Again…Happy New Year! I love you and God bless you all! Stay tuned.