The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Staff Photo by K.A. Wagoner:
Several area residents were on hand Friday to greet Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell at the Franklin County Veterans Memorial Park. From left are David Weir, whose wife Debra is currently serving in Iraq, B.W. Wright, supervisor Chairman Charles Wagner, Sheriff Ewell Hunt, McDonnell, Del. Charles Poindexter, Rep. Virgil Goode, Charles Santrock with the American Legion and Larry Moore with the school system. |
Monday, August 11, 2008
By CHARLES BOOTHE - Staff Writer
Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell paid a visit to Franklin County Friday afternoon to visit the veterans' memorial park and The Franklin Center.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Charles Wagner welcomed McDonnell at the Franklin County Veterans' Memorial Park and presented him with framed photo of the memorial.
Wagner praised McDonnell for his support of veterans and for the Wall of Honor, which is in the main lobby of the attorney general's office in Richmond.
The names of more than 140 Virginians, who have died in the global war on terrorism, are on the wall, including Cpl. Jared W. Kubasak, a Franklin County native who was killed in Iraq in 2005.
McDonnell, who served 21 years in the U.S. Army on active duty and the reserves and whose daughter served for one year in Iraq, said soldiers have a unique understanding of freedom.
"Veterans have a special and unique view of freedom," he said. "They have a special appreciation of liberty" because they are the ones who face the danger and make the sacrifice.
McDonnell praised Kubasak and pointed to his name on the memorial, the only one on the side of the memorial that honors those fallen in the war on terror.
While never forgetting the sacrifice made by Kubasak, "let's hope we never have another name on that wall," he said.
McDonnell stressed the need to treat veterans well and appreciate what they have done. How veterans are treated has a direct impact on future recruitment efforts, he said.
Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Rocky Mount) also attended the ceremony. McDonnell praised Goode for his efforts on behalf of veterans.
"Congressman Goode is a great supporter of veterans," he said.
McDonnell said he will purchase a brick to be placed at the memorial to honor his daughter.
Others attending the ceremony included Del. Charles Poindexter, Sheriff Ewell Hunt, David Weir, whose wife Debra is currently serving in Iraq, B.W. Wright, and Garland and Brenda Shively of the Waidsboro Ruritan Club.
Area Ruritan clubs spearheaded the project to build the veterans' memorial.
After the stop at the memorial, McDonnell visited The Franklin Center in Rocky Mount.
While there, he was presented an overview of the county and its initiatives by Scott Martin, the county's director of the department of commerce and leisure services.
McDonnell praised the center and its role as a "one-stop shop" for those seeking to learn new skills for job training, obtaining a GED or continuing their education at area colleges. |
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