A U.S. Marine Corps colorguard stands at parade rest at Camp LeJeune, NC, during a Veterans Day Ceremony. (https://nara.getarchive.net/media/a-us-marine-corps-usmc-color-guard-from-marine-corps-base-mcb-camp-lejeune-2f000e)

With November right around the corner, the veterans community is preparing to host a wide variety of events in Lenoir County the week before Veterans Day. The public is invited, and all the events are free to attend. One such event is the presentation on November 11, 2023, at the Kinston High School Performing Arts Center.

The event is directed by SALUTE-Veterans Tribute Show Director, Mary Beth Dawson. Dawson is requesting that all veterans in Lenoir County contact her to send in their photos and basic service information to be included in a slide show during the one-and-a-half-hour tribute. Photos and biographical information may be sent to marybeth@danceetcstudio.com. Veterans are requested to send those items as soon as possible to be included in the slideshow.

Other planned events include a musical concert and a movie presentation at the Kinston-Lenoir Public Library. Further details will follow, and the public is encouraged to attend.

Veterans Events Around Town

American Legion Post #43 Open House

The American Legion Post #43 in Kinston is hosting an open house on September 10, 2023, from 1-4 p.m. This annual open house is designed to introduce the public to this historical building and bring in vendors from around the county to sell their wares. All vendors, including those from the local community and veterans, may set up a table for free. The public is invited to attend, and the event is also free.

Community members will have a chance to meet representatives of various veterans organizations here in Lenoir County, and there will be plenty of food and fun for all.

The Legion post is located at 300 N. McLewean Street, downtown Kinston, on the corner of North and McLewean.

22nd Annual 9/11 Commemoration

AmVets is hosting the 22nd Annual 9/11 Commemoration in downtown Kinston at Pearson Park at 9:00 a.m. The park is located at 200 W. Gordon Street. An additional ceremony will be held at the Veterans Home on Hull Road at 10:30 for those unable to attend the earlier service.

The park memorial was commissioned in 2006 and designed by SALUTE Commander Eric Cantu. Visitors to the park may view the memorial during park hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. daily.

Suicide Prevention Month

September is Suicide Prevention Month in the United States. Veterans are particularly susceptible to suicide and need your support. If you know of a veteran, or anyone, who is at risk of suicide, there are resources available to help them.

The new Suicide Prevention Hotline number is 988. This number can be reached 24 hours a day, and there are trained counselors to speak to those in crisis.

Currently, veterans are estimated to commit suicide at the rate of 22 per day. The rate is really much higher, about 40. Only 23 states report the numbers, and these do not include California, Texas, or Florida, the leading states where veterans live.

North Carolina is ranked 6th in the nation for the number of veterans living in the state. One in nine North Carolinians is a veteran. With so many veterans in the state, there may be one that needs your help. Civilians can get involved by being there to support veterans. Veterans are encouraged to do buddy checks.

Overall, the suicide rate in America rose by 16 percent from 2011 to 2022. This means 16 suicides per 100,000 Americans. The rate is even higher for veterans with 28 suicides per 100,000 for women veterans and then 32 suicides per 100,000 for men veterans. With only eight percent of veterans being women, women veterans are more likely to commit suicide than anyone.

Don’t be afraid to stand up. The same skills that kept us alive in combat are the same skills killing us now. Check in with your fellow veterans to make sure they are okay.

North Carolina Veterans in Pictures

A US Army (USA) Honor Guard transports the flag draped casket, during a graveside funeral service honoring USA SPECIALIST (SPC) Jocelyn Carrasquillo, 30th Heavy Separate Brigade, North Carolina Army National Guard (NCARNG), held at Wayne Memorial Park, located in Goldboro, North Carolina (NC). SPC Carrasquillo, is the first North Carolina Guardsman to be killed in action, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (2004) (Photo used under Creative Commons License - https://nara.getarchive.net/media/a-us-army-usa-honor-guard-transports-the-flag-draped-casket-during-a-graveside-23c317)