GIG LINE
By Marsha M. Brown
Dedicated to Veterans
I wanted to start this column by acknowledging that GIG LINE is about more than military related facts, figures and statistics. For newcomers, it’s a column dedicated to veterans, inspired by veterans and in celebration of veterans and their families.
Each and every time I sit down to write it, I seek direction. I want this column to mean something to everyone who reads it. I guess you might say that my goal is personal and you’d be right…it is…but not to edify myself, rather to honor the title of “VETERAN”.
I want to remind the readers of who helped us get where we are fighting battles, enduring long deployments, exchanging the comforts of home for rainy dense forests, boiling hot dry rocky terrain and rough churning seas in the quest for peace and national security. I want us never to forget that a VETERAN should be celebrated every day…not just on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Veterans Day. I want the general public to embrace the fact that a lot of war wounds don’t always show and that many are deep…and unforgettable. I want us in Dare County to realize that even though we aren’t a military town…it doesn’t mean we can’t act like one.
I want us to set an example for other towns and communities to look upon all of our VETERANS who have served our great nation during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq etc. and whether deployed or serving here at home at the time as heroes regardless. I want us to think about the men and women who are put in harms way for us more than just a few days each year. I want our children in Dare County to learn about our military and all of the good it has done, the protection it has ensured, the safety it has provided so that all of us could seek to achieve our dreams and our passions in life.
Through our annual ‘Salute to Veterans’ event each fall, (coming again Sat., November 9th) I want our kids to see military uniforms, witness the Posting of Colors, observe and really hear the tender words that accompany the ‘Thirteen Folds of the Flag’ and grasp the ‘P.O.W. – M.I.A. Ceremony’. My hope is that people who have personally served or not, come with their children and grandchildren and that you further instill pride in our future leaders…to look at our flag…the most beautiful flag…and realize what the red, white and blue really stands for.
Through GIG LINE, I want us to help connect the 4,000+ Dare County veterans (yes, you heard me right…4,000+ veterans) together – one by one – side by side and honor them. I want to acknowledge the VETERAN families, who have stood by them, prayed for them, missed them and longed for their safe return all of these years.
I want to remind us of when this nation r-e-a-l-l-y stuck together – like back in the 40’s when everybody pitched in and did what they had to for the common goal. When that undeniable nationwide…shoulder to shoulder…’Rosie the Riveter’ spirit congealed and elevated the United States to a steadfast and determined plain. And that it was the blood, sweat and tears of our WWII VETERANS and the unified spirit of America that brought our nation to the position of a ‘Super Power’.
I want to remind us all of the benefits and rewards of our flag’s protection then I’d like to invite the traitors or disloyal among us to leave…A.S.A.P. If someone doesn’t love America, see the blessings of living here and want to contribute to sustaining our future with the same dedicated, determined spirit established by those who lived through World War II…then please…consider your priorities and get with the program. Remember “Together we stand…divided we fall”?
All Dare County VETERANS who have served our country and were discharged HONORABLY deserve the Dare County Veteran I. D. Card. It’s for you, it’s about you…it’s because of you. Come and claim your ‘CARD’ and reap the special acknowledgement participating businesses are offering. And for veterans who may feel they don’t need it because they have a VA issued retiree, disability or are active duty I.D. consider that there are local discounts related to this specific ‘CARD’ established and created for you through the Dare County Veterans Advisory Council. It only takes a few minutes to present your DD-214 along with proof of local address.
Please note the following expanded schedule for getting the special I. D. ‘CARD’ disbursements:
Dare County Administrative Building Tuesdays 12:00 noon – 3:00 p.m:
September 17th – Room 168
October 8th, 15th, 22nd, & 29th – Room 168
November 5th (Voting Day) so we’ll be in alternative Room 238 upstairs (elevator) from
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Then again, November 12th, 19th & 26th Room 168 12 noon – 3:00. p.m.
December 3rd, 10th and 17th (the last day to obtain your Veteran I. D. Card in 2013) Room 168 – 12 noon to 3:00 p.m.
Remember the ‘CARD’ entitles you to discounts at 19 (to date) different businesses in Dare County and with the holidays fast approaching that’s a big help! If you’re a veteran who’s interested but homebound or unable to get to the disbursement appointments, please call me cell (252) 202-2058 and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. You only need to have been discharged on an honorable basis (as indicated on your DD-214) and proof of local residency to qualify.
Also, please note that September 20th is the National POW/MIA Recognition Day. This very important remembrance is observed each year on the third Friday in September. On this day, prayers and special events take place at the Pentagon, war museums and war memorials. Speaking of that, our 10 year old grandson Ben recently saw a POW/MIA flag and said, “Nanny, Pappy would really like a flag like that!” So, Ben and I went shopping at Islander Flags in Kitty Hawk and bought one for him. It will proudly fly from our front deck from this point forward along with our American flag. It happens that our young grandson who’s a student of Wanchese Christian Academy is a little dedicated patriot. Ben loves anything to do with VETERANS and he’s happy when he reading, drawing or talking Civil War. A natural born artist, no kidding – he’s unbelievable. He recently envisioned then drew and painted (free hand) a Civil War battle. It was amazing…just like he is! (Aren’t all of our children and grandchildren?)
So much to tell you…so much to say but…until next time, be happy, be safe, be proud and thank a VETERAN each and every day. Call or write to me at editor@giglineheroes.com if you’d like. Thank you VETERANS and VETERAN FAMILIES. I love and appreciate you all! Stay tuned…