Photo by Morris Stephenson:
Corbie Peters of Rocky Mount and all four of his brothers served in the military during World War II. |
Friday, November 13, 2009
By MORRIS STEPHENSON - Staff Writer
With heavy rain and temperatures in the mid-40s, Woodlawn Baptist Church was filled as the annual Veterans' Day service was moved from Veterans'
Memorial Park Thursday.
It was the first time since the memorial park was built five years ago that inclement weather prevented the service from being held at the park on Scuffling Hill Road in Rocky Mount.
With more than 200 people in attendance, a highlight of the service was the Old Carolina Road Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honoring veterans of World War II.
Certificates of appreciation were presented by DAR representative Doris Eames, as each veteran was called to the front of the church.
Those honored include Herman Altice, J. Clark Arrington, Belvie Bowles, Curtis Campbell, Ulis Chitwood, ArnoldﾠW. Davis, Glenwood Divers, Desmond Hale, Allen Holley, Corbie Peters, Silas Plybon, Gail E.ﾠSigmon, John George Turner and Virginia Wigington.
Several veterans who attended the ceremony will receive certificates at a later date.
Peters said he was one of five sons of the late Mr. and Mrs. John R. Peters who served during World War II.
He said he was the only surviving brother, and he served in the Army. Kenneth and Grady Peters both served in the Army, while Irvin Peters was in the Navy. Buford Peters served in the Air Force.
Peters said he enlisted in the Army while his brothers were drafted into the service. "I don't know of another family that had five sons serving at one time," he said.
Lt. Col. Larry Moore (U.S. Air Force Ret.) was the guest speaker.
Moore addressed "the people who made the veterans able to do the great deeds that they have accomplished."
"I would like to thank all the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives and children who endured the pain and suffering that existed long after the battles were won or lost...those who watched as their loved ones left on deployment and after deployment kept the faith while they were answering the country's call to keep us free," Moore said.
"Thank you to those families who gave their sons and daughters the courage to face the danger and volunteer to serve...to those families that faced the flag-draped coffins that returned from war and accepted the flags at the funerals and accepted the messages and visits that informed them their family members would never return to the safety of home," he added.
He also urged the audience to talk to their loved ones about their military experience. "The families still do not know what their heroes did in the war and that is a shame."
"It is our task to share with our children that Veterans' Day is more than a day off or a department store sale. Iﾠwould ask you all to take a moment and ask them to tell you their stories. We're losing too much of our history because veterans to not talk and children do not ask them to tell the stores that they keep locked up in their minds," Moore said.
"There is concern today about a lack of heroes. If people do not have heroes it is because we are looking in the wrong places. We look at those who hit home runs, make touchdowns or shoot three-pointers. Those people are athletes, not heroes," he added.
"Today's heroes are charging through the desert, fighting for the causes of freedom and peace. Today's heroes believe in freedom, and this belief is tested every day as our men and women in uniform face the perils of war. Let us never forget and make sure that your children learn to appreciate how they got the freedoms they take for granted each and every day," Moore said.
Former Fifth District Congressman Virgil Goode provided a historical perspective by explaining the change from Armistice Day to Veterans' Day.
"They thought there would never be another world war but along came World War II. Over 50,000 lost their lives in Korea and Vietnam. Then came the Middle East and our enemies are now basically terrorists," he said.
Goode recognized Darel and Daina Kubasak who were in attendance. The couple's son Cpl. Jared Kubasak lost his life in Iraq on Dec. 11, 2005.
"We're facing an enemy who in the end wants to do us in," Goode added.
Other speakers included Wayne Outlaw of Rocky Mount, N.C., a veteran and former president of Ruritan National.
The Wright Kids, Sage, Baruch and Levi, sang the National Anthem. TheﾠRev. Roger Jones and wife, Susie, with the Living Waters Assembly of God, sang "More Than a Name on the Wall."
Both B.W. Wright Jr., chairman of the Franklin County Veterans Memorial Park Committee, and Charles Wagner, chairman of the Franklin County Board of Supervisors and a park committee member, thanked the Rev. Eddie Hawks and members of the Woodlawn Baptist Church for allowing the service to be held in their facility. They especially thanked the women who prepared the meal for the veterans, family and friends following the program.
Brandon Osgood and Nick Weinschreider with the Franklin County High School Marching Eagle Band played "Taps" from the balcony of the church to conclude the program. |
