GIG LINE
By Marsha M. Brown
My typical GIG LINE encompasses an array of stories, quips & quotes, event schedules and more but in this column and as promised last week, I’m inserting a personal message (below) verbatim from Hatteras Island U. S. Army veteran Pete Groom. If after reading his message you all wish to embrace the idea of a stationary public acknowledgement of a veteran you would like to celebrate, please contact Pete at the numbers below:
“On a recent visit to my father’s grave I reflected on the fact that he served in WW ll during the island campaign and no reference to that exists except in military archives. I thought of my own service and the service of friends which in this day is the exception, yet will go unrecognized and I decided to do something about that.
The Hatteras Island Veteran Support Group is creating a veteran memorial site in Hatteras village. One feature will be display cases which will contain 1.5 inch by 3 inch bronze colored ID tags as shown.
Sp4 Peter M. Guenette
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam KIA- MOH recipient
I invite anyone who wishes to create a legacy for someone who served to contact us for additional information. Service to our country is the important criteria, not a particular service or date of service. If you have a relative who served our country in the Revolutionary War or any service from that point forward, they deserve to be memorialized.
In this day where a small percent of individuals shoulder the responsibility for service to our country, I believe some record of their service should exist. If you believe as I do, a brick for our walkway and an ID tag can be purchased for $19.95. You may contact me for further information:
Pete Groom – (252) 305-1722.
“Some Gave All, All Gave Some,”
And those individuals have passed on to us a living legacy in the form of the United States of America.
*For those deceased service members of the Vietnam War, reference to their service can be found at: www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm ”
Also…Pete wanted to be sure that everyone understand that he is only a part of the big picture of people who care about veterans and their families on Hatteras Island. He has served as an original Dare County Veterans Advisory Council member and since then he has pushed onward and upward to promote all things good for veterans. He and others including U. S. Army veteran Frank Miller, who initiated the support group at his restaurant “Hatterasman Drive In” and Don Ward of Frisco have joined forces to promote, celebrate and acknowledge all veterans of all branches everywhere who have served our great nation.
Pete is proud of what their Hatteras Island Veterans Support Group has accomplished together already and he humbly asked that no special credit be given to him. The truth is the support group has eagerly grasped a mission to bring more and more attention to veterans who both reside on and visit Hatteras Island simply because it’s the right thing to do. He wanted to be sure GIG LINE readers understood that their group has only begun to scratch the surface and that he and the others are excited about many future special events to come on our southernmost Outer Banks.
In fact, the next official ‘calling all vets’ monthly meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 – 2:00 PM at the Hatterasman Drive In, 57449 Hwy 12, Hatteras, NC 27943. Because somany veterans appreciate the opportunity to meet on a regular basis their regularly scheduled monthly meetings are: every 3rd Wednesday at the Hatterasman Drive In also at 2:00 PM. So, if you’re a resident or visiting veteran please feel welcome to stop by and learn about all the good their group is doing to honor fellow brother and sister veterans and their families.
Their meeting next week will provide an opportunity for local resident vets (from all over Dare County) to acquire their free Dare County Veteran I. D. Card which no doubt you’ve read about frequently in GIG LINE. Vets interested in getting their ‘Card’ that day should bring two (2) things with them: their local Driver’s License and their DD-214 showing ‘Honorable Discharge’. Remember, we don’t need to see the original and we don’t keep the DD-214, (it’s strictly for review purposes onsite only) and the Driver’s License simply demonstrates permanent residency. Veterans who attend that day will also acquire a schedule of upcoming veteran related events throughout Dare County until the end of 2015 and booklets about potential health care, benefits, entitlements and other pertinent information that could big a huge help to them as well.
Also “Friends of the Hatteras Island Veterans Support Group” T-shirts will be offered in sizes S, M, LG, XLG for $20 as well as sizes 3XL & 4XL at $25 that day. Veteran Don Ward (who will unfortunately be out of town that day) asked that I announce the much appreciated veteran support of ACE Hardware in Avon because every 4th Wednesday, 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM the T-shirts will be available at the store. Per Don the T-shirts basically says it all in that their support group or “Friends…” encompasses all people who wish to support our veterans, not just active duty, retired or even former military…but ALL who want to lend a hand and help with various tasks & activities. Frank, Pete and Don are passionate about their commitment to veterans and they invite any and everyone whether having ever served or not to get involved and help. If you’d like to help by acquiring and wearing your own “Friends…” T-shirt, they are available for pick up only. Please stop by Frank’s restaurant or contact Pete Groom per the information above. If you have additional questions or would like to file a VA claim, please contact Rhonda Creef, Dare County Veterans Service Officer, (252) 475-5604 to schedule a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday appointment at her office in Manteo. My cell (252) 202-2058 if I can be of help to you or a veteran you know, please call us or email me at giglineheroes@aol.com
Until next time, be happy, be safe and be proud…we have a lot of love to share for all of our veterans everywhere. God bless you and those you love and as usual…stay tuned!