Veterans Day: Putting others before yourself
Published 12:05 am Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Salisbury City Council Member Harry McLaughlin Jr. served as the guest speaker during the program. – Karen Kistler
The Rowan County Veterans Council presented awards to, far left, Harold “Andy” Andrews, Chaplain of the Year; and far right, Ann Barber, Veteran of the Year. Make the presentation were Callie Trexler, Miss Rowan County Veteran Queen and Michael Catus, president of the council. == Karen Kistler
The Rowan County Honor Guard presented and retired the colors during the Veterand Day ceremony. — Karen Kistler
Lewis Reid, 91-year-old U.S. Army veteran and a member of the honor guard cut the special Veterans Day cake with a saber. – Karen Kistler
U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran Walter Lee Swann stood as one of the veterans who came dressed in his uniform. – Karen Kistler
SALISBURY — Camaraderie and service were two key words heard during the Veterans Day ceremony held at the W.A. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center.
Veterans and their families gathered in the gym at the center on Nov. 11 for the special event, which was followed later in the afternoon by the annual Veterans Day parade across the center’s campus.
Queen Williams, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, was the emcee for the ceremony, thanking everyone for coming despite the weather, but added, that’s what we do, we served in the military and we continue to serve, whether it’s in military organizations or in the community.
Williams said that joining the military changed her life and is thankful to God for that opportunity to serve.
Kevin Amick, executive director of the hospital, likewise spoke of his time of service, having been a U.S. Navy corpsman. He said that “Veterans Day comes back to one word, service. It’s about putting others before yourself. Veterans represent everything our country stands for life, liberty, freedom, family, honor, independence and service.”
That theme of service continued throughout the ceremony as Harry McLaughlin Jr., Salisbury City Council member and owner of McLaughlin’s Grocery on West Monroe Street, spoke, serving as the keynote speaker.
He told of his 15-year career in the secret service protecting presidents, vice presidents, foreign heads and their families. While not in the military, he said he was involved with the various branches of the military because of the work they do with the secret service.
The “secret service can’t do their job without the military,” McLaughlin said.
The military is involved on a daily basis in a variety of ways, he said, putting themselves at harm’s way to protect the commander-in-chief, noting some of the responsibilities they have when the president visits places, speaks and even has a meal.
Senator Carl Ford provided remarks during the morning’s event thanking each veteran and noting that it’s because of them that we have the freedoms we do.
He said he was thankful for each veteran, no matter their branch of service, rank or job.
“You did your part and I appreciate that. From a private to a five-star general, all of you are important, Ford said.
Special awards were presented during the ceremony honoring the service of two individuals. Callie Trexler, Miss Rowan County Veteran and Michael Catus, president of the Rowan County Veterans Council made the presentations.
Trexler first thanked each for their dedication and service to our great country and said, “it’s an honor to gather here today to celebrate the selflessness of the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces.”
Reflecting on the words of Jesus in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” Trexler said that this is the “very essence of what you (veterans) have done, and that it is a “reflection of what it means to love and serve others.”
Catus called the two award recipients forward and presented their plaques. The first went to Harold “Andy” Andrews who was named the 2024 Chaplain of the Year.
His award was for his “humble, faithful, thoughtful, personal commitment and providing comfort and support to veterans, families and programs in the community.”
Andrews said receiving this award was “very humbling.”
He shared that he has been a member of veteran organizations for 30 years and said there have been chaplains “who have come before me who are truly men of God and I feel very blessed to have received this award.”
He is a member of the Harold B. Jarrett Post 342, AmVets Post 565 and VFW Post 3006.
The second award went to Ann Barber, who was named the 2024 Veteran of the Year.
Her award read that it was presented for her “unwavering commitment, determination, dedication and willingness to go above and beyond to serve and provide unlimited support to veterans and their families and special thanks for providing mentoring and guidance to Rowan County youth.”
Barber likewise said she was very humbled to receive this award, adding that “I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be here among these other heroes.”
She shared her military background telling that her father and an uncle were in World War II and both were POWs in Germany. Barber also has a brother who is a Vietnam veteran and two brothers who retired from the military, plus she married a sailor who became an Army officer.
She joined the Women’s Army Corps before it was part of the regular Army, she said. So between active duty and reserves, Barber, who is a U.S. Army veteran earning the rank of first sergeant, served 36 years, “and I never had a bad day, she said.
Amick said that Veterans Day has different meanings to different people and is spent in multiple ways. Some, he said, spend it with other veterans while others visit National cemeteries. There are some who he said “wrestle with thoughts reliving memories of serving” and others spend the time with family.
“There are no right ways to observe the day,” he said, “because it is truly different for everyone.”
Williams shared a verse she had on her mind from Romans which speaks about being devoted to one another and putting one another above yourself.
She said, “this verse represents the camaraderie and the brotherhood we as veterans have” adding that no matter which branch one serves in, veterans recognize one another.
“We are comrades and we always honor each other,” she said.
