‘We must do our part’

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com As directed by presidential order, this U.S. flag at Dobbins Heights Town Hall was flown at half mast from sunrise to noon on Memorial Day.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
As directed by presidential order, this U.S. flag at Dobbins Heights Town Hall was flown at half mast from sunrise to noon on Memorial Day.

By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com

DOBBINS HEIGHTS — Speakers at an intimate and solemn Memorial Day ceremony at Dobbins Heights Town Hall focused  on the need to help veterans who are still living and for the rest of the general public to do its part to support them.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com Vietnam veteran Lennard Reddick.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Vietnam veteran Lennard Reddick.

Mayor Antonio Blue, an Army veteran, said the federally recognized holiday “should not be a day we take off or take lightly. We all know someone who served in the military.”

Army veteran Edward Lewis Tender, of Dobbins Heights, was the featured speaker for the 25-minute ceremony. His message focused on what others can do to help veterans who served to help protect freedoms Americans enjoy today.

“We must do our part to give thanks to those who gave their lives,” Tender said.

He challenged those in attendance to go to Dobbins Heights cemetery, or another cemetery, and “clean a veteran’s grave.”

However, more can and should be done to aid veterans who are still here, he said.

“Vets have died waiting to get help” from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Tender said.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com Edward Lewis Tender, of Dobbins Heights, was the featured speaker.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Edward Lewis Tender, of Dobbins Heights, was the featured speaker.

He noted that struggle isn’t relegated to veterans living in California, Arizona or New York. One Dobbins Heights veteran who in 1976 had applied for VA medical benefits was approved on March 10, 2014. Tender said that veteran died two days later, still in a coma and “he never knew he got it.”

Such a wait is unacceptable, Tender said.

“Let’s do something about it,” he said. “In honor of our veterans who are still here on earth and need help, let’s help them.”

Minister Ozie Felder Jr., an Army veteran, gave the invocation. The group enjoyed a recorded audio performance of the National Anthem by Marvin Gaye and stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in unison.

Army veteran Lennard Reddick performing the laying of the wreath and Rev. Robert Richardson offered the benediction. Nearly two dozen people were in attendance.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com Attendees of the Memorial Day program at Dobbins Heights Town Hall visit a table of brochures about the U.S. of America Vietnam War Commemoration. The town is a partner with the Commemorative Partner Program and is required to stage two events each year that honor Vietnam veterans.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Attendees of the Memorial Day program at Dobbins Heights Town Hall visit a table of brochures about the U.S. of America Vietnam War Commemoration. The town is a partner with the Commemorative Partner Program and is required to stage two events each year that honor Vietnam veterans.

 

 

 

Filed in: Latest Headlines

You might like:

M. Bishop sinks putt for Mixed Division playoff win M. Bishop sinks putt for Mixed Division playoff win
Von Hagel wins drawing for Pixel Von Hagel wins drawing for Pixel
Application period open for club sponsorship Application period open for club sponsorship
S. Farris wins Player of the Year S. Farris wins Player of the Year
  • Patricia Davis

    Congratulations to you and the community of Dobbins Heights for being an active participant in a program to honor Vietnam veterans. You have set the bar for surrounding towns to join in celebrating those who bravely fought and those whose inward battle continues.

© 2024 AlleganyPlayground.com. All rights reserved. XHTML / CSS Valid.