The November day was bright and warm, as former members of the armed forces gathered with family, friends, and neighbors at the Veteran's Memorial in Carthage to celebrate Veteran’s Day, one day early. But the Saturday, November 10 festivities had some somber notes, particularly when participants remembered Staff Sergeant Justin Cameron Marquez, a twenty-five-year-old Aberdeen native who was killed in October while on foot patrol in Afghanistan.
Many local officials attended the service, including Moore County Commissioners Tim Lea, Jimmy Melton, Craig Kennedy, and newly elected Commissioner Randy Saunders. District Attorney Maureen Krueger, Clerk of Superior Court Susan Hicks, and Carthage Mayor Lee McGraw were also on hand, as was NC Representative Jamie Boles.
“It’s a beautiful day, and it’s humbling that we can come out and honor the veterans for what they sacrificed," Boles said. "We also should recognize what their families sacrificed. We take for granted going to bed with our families safe at home, when their loved ones are not."
Noting the conclusion of the presidential election earlier in the week, guest speaker US Marine Corps Colonial (Retired) Pete Dotto of McLendon HiIlls said, “We voted on Tuesday, and went back to work on Wednesday. There was no loss of life or bloodshed. That is the height of civilization.”
Union Pines JROTC students Chase Herrington, Brandon Leclair, Michelle Miller, and Taylor Anne Kramer presented the Colors to open the observance. Miller, a senior, plans to join the National Guard on November 28. Her fellow senior Kramer plans to join the Navy. Herrington and Leclair, both sophomores, are still considering their options.
Commander Phil Enkema and Mastery Gunnery Sergeant Keith Dangerfield oversee the Union Pines ROTC program. Enkema, who retired after 25 years in the Navy, told The Times that he has 164 cadets enrolled for the 2012-13 school year. “We are lobbying for more space," he said. "We could do so much more if we could expand the building that we have.” In December the cadets will travel to Charleston to spend the night on the USS Yorktown.
Marvin Ross, another Union Pines sophomore cadet, attended the memorial with his father, Richard Ross, a third generation veteran. “I joined because my dad and my grandfather were enlisted," the younger Ross said. "I wanted to try a new experience.”
A Place for Reunion
The Veterans Memorial has become more than a monument, said Mary Ann O’Connor, Post Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW] Post 7318. It is a place for reunion.
“This is a sacred place of remembrance and recognition of our veterans of Moore County both living and dearly passed," O'Connor said, "a gathering place for camaraderie and for loving memories.”
Lieutenant Colonel Greg Rawlings agrees. Rawlings performed the National Anthem with The Baghdad Bad Boys, a band formed in Iraq by nine soldiers from the 18th Airborne.
“Today provided us the opportunity to get together with people who shared a tough time," he said. "It has been a bit of reunion. We try to get together at least once a year and play.”
Many area veterans consider the annual memorial service a homecoming -- and it's a popular homecoming, with overflow parking filling an adjacent field.
“Today is to celebrate our veterans," said Ruby Hendrick, Secretary-Treasurer of the Moore County Veteran’s Memorial Committee. "This is sacred ground."
Alluding to the on-going negotiations between veterans groups and the Commissioners over the fate of a vacant three-acre county-owned tract adjacent to the Memorial, she added: "We want all this area preserved for the veterans and jointly owned by the County.”
Noting that there was not enough seating to accommodate the crowd, Hendrick envisioned enhancing the site in stages: first an amphitheatre, then a walking trail, and, eventually, restrooms.
A Reminder
The annual Veterans Day service is open to everyone, and Joe Rasmus stressed the importance of Veterans Day as a reminder to all citizens of the sacrifices made on their behalf.
“As a soldier who has deployed to the first gulf war (Desert Storm) and served twice in Afghanistan, I feel it is important to remind people of the sacrifices that veterans, especially those killed in action, made for this great country of ours," said Rasmus, who is the DAV Chapter 83 Senior Vice Commander, a member of VFW Post 7318, and member of American Legion Post 82. "I am proud to have served and carried the torch to protect the USA.”
White doves took flight into a clear blue sky bringing the service to an end, and many of the veterans rolled up their sleeves to serve once more. Southern Pines VFW Post 7318 had prepared lunch for all the guests.
Veteran Harold Pickett, Commander American Legion A B Sally Post Jr 350 in Pinehurst said: “I hope we can repeat the celebration of honoring our veterans, with the unity shown today, for generations to come.”
