GIG LINE
By Marsha M. Brown
One of the words you read often in this column is ‘support’. I use it often…but never enough. I refer to the term when I write about support of our veterans…I write about it when I talk about support to our service member’s families…and I’ve talked about the support of our veterans…one for the other.
The simple little word (if you look it up) in Thesaurus: English (U.S.) identify it as: hold up; bear; carry; prop-up; sustain; maintain; shore-up…and…foundation; crutch; scaffold; brace. Each description, while a bit redundant, explains concisely what I see and hear from or about our own veterans right here in Dare County almost every single day.
Prime example: This past week while I overheard phone conversations between my sweetie pie Billy and his veteran friends he was happy to hear that a veteran had received favorable news from the V.A.…then he was sad to hear a ‘brother’ was now battling a new health issue…and still another…frustrated after numerous attempts to acquire a much needed hearing aid…yet still waiting.
Over time Billy has connected and become close to many Dare County vets one of which is Bo Simpson. ‘Bo’ is another authentic example of the term veteran ‘support’. Only having known him for a short time, he has been a blessing to both Billy and I. Bo is a veteran who truly cares about all of the men and women who have served. He looks for every possible way to hold them (you) up; help carry their load as best he can; find ways to assist veterans. His heart for veterans pushes him forward to sustain and promote veteran interest in health care knowledge and benefits encouraging others to help also.
Much like Billy, ‘Bo’ is a V.F.W. officer (Post Vice Commander) and is deeply involved in the Outer Banks V.F.W. 10950 Post; the American Legion Fort Raleigh Post 26 and in all things ‘veteran’ on the Outer Banks. He is neither a braggart, nor one who seeks praise or special recognition but one who deserves it. He works tirelessly with others for the good of all veterans.
An event we all need to SUPPORT and attend…
When? Saturday, April 25th beginning at 5:00 PM until…
What? 25th Anniversary of the Outer Banks V.F.W. Post 10950 Celebration
Where? Colington Volunteer Fire Department (just past the second bridge in Colington)
Why? The real question is…why NOT? Great food catered by Carl Walker (Tom
Thumb) with your choice of his yummy BBQ or chicken dinner w/baked
beans, cole slaw, hushpuppies and tea for ONLY $5.00 per plate
and…desserts priced by the slice or the whole thing! Plus…live music
by Gary Ronan who will play 50’s, 60’s & 70’s music…a silent
auction…and…a 50/50 cash raffle…hot diggity dog! I can’t wait!! Not only
that…but if you’re a Dare County resident veteran bring your DD-214 and
local Driver’s License and you can get your Dare County Veteran I. D.
Card too! And there’s more…the V.F.W. members will have
handout material to give you, including Veteran Benefit Booklets and
the NC4VETS RESOURCE GUIDE to help you better understand what
your potential benefits could be.
During this power packed celebration, you’ll have a chance to do good things for yourselves and your spouse and you can meet and greet many veteran friends like ‘Bo’…and Billy…and Rick…and Frank…and Clark…and Jim just by taking an hour or two of your time to join them.
GREAT food…fantastic company (veterans rock, you know), music we all cherish (especially if you’re a baby boomer)…and just think about the fun you’ll have! Come on out and be entertained, fed and find some awesome bargains to place your donation bid on…Do you like surprises? Do you like suspense? And the winner is….drum roll please…woo hoo! (It might be YOU!)
Come for YOU…for Billy and ‘Bo’…and for the others who have worked so hard to put this celebration together. This event is for EVERYONE…its not just for V.F.W. members…and its not just for veterans…it’s for everybody who wants to show our veterans that you appreciate them…its your chance to shake hands, thank our vets and support our V.F.W. locally.
Over the course of the last two and a half years, I’ve come to meet and befriend a lot of local veterans…and I’ve come to love every single one of them along with their spouse, children and siblings. Through GIG LINE, the Veterans Advisory Council, Veteran I. D. Card distribution and special events I’ve come to see and feel the term ‘support’ in its truest form. I’ve witnessed first hand the essence of ‘brotherhood’ amongst veterans of all ages…from all back grounds…from all branches of service observing the simple and perfect communication between them all often times void of sound altogether…speaking a language to each other that only veterans understand. They get it…they understand each other and they love each other.
Funny stories or quips about boot camp…sad recollections about a ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ who had passed away…remembrances of fellow vets they so much admire…bashfulness about their own special accomplishments…as an exceptional shot…or in the face of battle, uncertainty, storms and trials…they’ve been there together. I’ve seen pride in their faces when they quote a politician or an entertainer who stands up for them, defends them as a whole and who makes clear to everyone that their allegiance is to those who serve…their witness being steadfast, certain and unyielding.
Give your spouse a break in the kitchen and eat with us instead on Saturday, April 25th, O.K.? take a plate or two home with you and enjoy doing a good thing for our veterans! Your attendance will be appreciated and not forgotten. Our veterans matter and so do YOU. If you have questions about the event or about how you can help, call me (252) 202-2058. And when you get there, look for me (I’m hard to miss) so I can hug your neck and thank you for supporting our Dare County veterans and especially the Outer Banks V.F.W. Post 10950. Also…there’s an elevator on site too…see? You just can’t miss the special agenda they have planned for you! And like ‘Bo’ said, “From building handicapped ramps to funding scholarships, helping veterans get to the VA appointments and many other veteran-related projects, WE WALK THE WALK! We need you to walk with us!”
We can’t wait to spend time with you! Quoting Bo’s description of the upcoming special day again… ”Celebrating 25 years of service to ALL VETERANS on and around the Outer Banks!” Come out and show them how important they are to you…OK?
Until next time…be happy, be safe and be proud. We love you all and we pray for God’s blessings on your life. Stay tuned…