While visiting a section of Maplewood Cemetery in search of our second great-grandfather’s resting place, I came across a monument to a fallen World War II hero, Vernon Hardison. The inscription revealed the dates of his young life, putting his 100th birthday on the 22nd of this October.

The tall, dignified monument briefly commemorates the details of his service. Further research revealed that Technician Fourth Grade Vernon Perry Hardison was born on October 22, 1920 to Emmie and John Franklin Hardison in Lenoir County, NC (his parents now rest beside him at Maplewood). He was a farm hand with one year of high school education behind his belt when he enlisted in the Field Artillery branch of the National Guard in September 1940. He died in service in the European theater on July 24, 1944. Twenty-three years old at the time of his death, Vernon had not yet married or had children.

Over the course of World War II, 68 Lenoir County residents sacrificed their lives in the service. The National Archives list North Carolina’s total loss of servicemen in the Second World War at 7,109. As decades have gone by and other conflicts overshadowed the horrors of World War II in the public’s eye, we must continue to remember those of the Greatest Generation who, once upon a time, banded together in an unprecedented worldwide effort to restore freedom.

Unfortunately, Vernon P. Hardison’s medallion is badly damaged, whether by exposure or vandalism. A kind Internet user gave of their talent to restore the image upon my request. Lenoir County’s Veterans of Foreign Wars is currently researching options for replacing the medallion on Mr. Hardison’s memorial. As his 100th birthday approaches shortly before Veterans Day, let us take a moment to remember and honor all of our veterans. I plan on driving up from out of town on Mr. Hardison’s birthday to lay flowers at his grave and say a prayer for his repose as I teach our children about history, respect and remembrance.

Yelena Howell
Wilmington, NC