Mike Parker: Salute! Show honors veterans as part of weeklong celebration
Did you know that nearly one out of 11 citizens of this county are U.S. military veterans? In fact, according to the United States Census Bureau, Lenoir County veteran population is more that 2.5 percent higher than the state as a whole. More than 4,000 veterans live in this city and county. Nationwide, roughly 18 million veterans are still living in our nation.
Each year, Salute! and G.I. Joe’s Living History Museum organize a celebration centered on Veterans Day. This year, the Salute! Show will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, at the Performing Arts Center at Kinston High School. The show is free to the public.
This year’s program title and theme is: “Service Never Ends.” The show performance will consist of local singers and dancers, and will feature a PowerPoint presentation of photographs submitted by family members and friends of area veterans.
Ted Sampley and Eric Cantu were a few of the original team members to establish this organization. The first Salute! Veterans show was produced by Mary Beth Dawson and performed in Washington, D.C.
I remember the first time Salute! brought the show to Kinston. The emcee of the event was none other than Adrian Kronauer, the inspiration for the film “Good Morning, Vietnam.” After the show, I was invited to the after-show get-together and ended up seated at the table with Adrian.
“How accurate was the movie?” I asked him.
“Well,” he said, “my name is Adrian Kronauer – and I was in Vietnam.” After a brief pause, we all broke out in laughter.
During this week of festivities, you can visit the Kinston Community Center for the Arts from November 5 through November 16 for the Veteran Art Exhibit. All pieces are by local veterans and their families. At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, the Arts Center will host a reception for artists and the public.
At 3 p.m. on Friday, November 8, a Brick Dedication will take place at the Walk of Honor near the Farmers Market on Herritage Street. Later that day, at 7 p.m., the Tar River Community Band will perform a free concert for veterans at American Legion 43.
The Tar River Community Band is an all-volunteer organization that has been making music since 1987. The band’s season begins the first Thursday after Labor Day and concludes each year in July. Each week, musicians gather to rehearse for 90 minutes. The band is a diverse group, with the youngest member still in high school and the oldest members well into retirement. People of all ages and occupations lend their talents to the effort.
Events will wrap up beginning at 8 a.m. on November 13 at the Georgia K. Battle Center with the Veteran Breakfast – an event for veterans only.
But perhaps the highlight of the week will be Saturday’s Salute! Show.
Salute! A Tribute to America's Veterans is a 501-c(3) non-profit organization that has been supporting veterans in Lenoir County and North Carolina for about 24 years. The organization also supports GI Joe’s Living Museum located on HWY 11/55 South near Skinners Bypass.
Most Baby Boomers like me can remember the veteran celebrations of our youth. Families lined the streets, waving flags and cheering, as veterans marched past during parades held to honor Veterans Day and Memorial Day. For some reason, enthusiastic displays in support of those who have defended our freedom seem to have faded.
Salute! and G.I. Joe’s Living History Museum are working to recreate that enthusiasm. Put this weekend on your calendar. All events are open to the public, except as noted – and are free.
Mike Parker is a columnist for The Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
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