Veterans past &present|honored for service

Published 4:53 am Friday, November 12, 2010

By By EDWIN MODLIN II
edwin@wdnweb.com
Staff Writer

Thursday marked a special moment in the nation’s history as Americans honored veterans around the country — men and women who fought for the United States of America and those who are fighting — for their dedication and bravery.
Veterans Day, with roots that go back nearly a century ago, has lost none of its importance to Americans despite the fact that so few Americans today are veterans compared to a larger veterans population just 40 years ago.
“On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 marked the moment to end all wars among wars,” said Betsey Lee Hodges, president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 15. “It’s a shame we only recognize Veterans Day one day out of the year. We should remember it every day, as they gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Wanda Moore, the N.C. American Legion Auxiliary’s state president, thanked the men and women in the armed forces for doing so much for this country.
“We’ve come together today to say, ‘Thank you,’ and to honor our veterans,” she said. “All 320 million of us (Americans) owe our veterans so much for protecting our freedoms and our way of life.
“And like the saying goes, ‘All gave some, some gave all.’ We would not be here if it were not for our veterans.”
Staff Sgt. Mike Wise, an Army National Guard soldier and a former Marine and active-duty soldier, said he is thankful to be back in his hometown of Washington to celebrate Veterans Day.
“This year, Veterans Day is extra special because for the last few years my family and I have been coming to the ceremony here at Veterans Park,” Wise said. “But last year, I was deployed to Iraq, so it was tough in that I knew they were here and I wasn’t. So, again, today, an extra blessing goes out to being able to come back to the same park that we’ve been coming to for years.
“And I am proud to say I was fortunate enough to be part of the Marine Corps, the Army and the Army National Guard. Words are difficult to describe the emotions and the pride in the service.”
Wise said the World War II veterans, the nurses who served and the Vietnam War veterans deserve credit for serving during the times in which they served.
“Our country is giving credit where credit is due,” he said. “And our town is wonderful when it comes to this with the park, the celebration, and I am grateful and blessed former Marine and soldier today to be here, celebrating with my wife and four wonderful kids.”
Wise is currently attached to the 690th Battalion Support Brigade based in Kinston.