BY THE DAILY ADVANCE
Veterans have always honored their commitment to preserving the American way of life, says retired Superior Court Judge Jerry Tillett.
“Veterans have always upheld a sacred contract with this nation to protect and defend our country, in exchange for a promise of care and support upon their return,” Tillett said. “Each generation has answered that call, forming a band of brothers, sisters whose bonds of reliance are unbreakable.”
Tillett was speaking to an audience of nearly 100 veterans and family members packed in the community room at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6060, on Tuesday. The VFW’s hour-long Veterans Day service began promptly at noon.
Tillett, who is also a candidate for N.C. Senate District 1, referred to scripture to illustrate veterans’ “combination of courage and conviction and love.”
“My Bible tells me, John 13:15, this explanation, ‘Greater love has no man than that he should lay down his life for another,’” he said. “Many veterans come home with scars, not only physical wounds but emotional wounds. Some have other issues: homelessness, shelter, medical needs, addiction.”
The retired judge next spoke of a court session he presided over where the defendant who had served several tours in Afghanistan. During their interaction, Tillett took the man’s service to country into consideration.
The man wrote Tillett a note to thank him for acknowledging his service during the court proceeding.
“Can you imagine that?” Tillett asked the audience. “A man who had risked his life, no doubt many times, and had endured all grades of hardship and strife, was thanking me.
“How can we thank him and others like you and him, enough?” Tillett said, addressing the veterans.
Tillett concluded his remarks by presenting VFW Post 6060 Commander Allen Coatney a wooden plaque featuring the Cross of Malta, the official national seal of VFW.
The Cross of Malta has a heritage of honor, duty, sacrifice and courage “that dates all the way back to the 11th century,” Tillett said.
Also speaking was retired U.S. Marine Corp Master Sgt. Katrina Greason, a native of Scottsville, Kentucky. Greason had completed three semesters at Western Kentucky University before she left to enlist in the Marines following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
“Today we honor the generations of service that have shaped our armed forces and strengthened the soul of our nation,” Greason said
She next asked any veterans of World War II or Korea to stand if they are able to be recognized. After a moment of silence where no veterans stood up or responded, Greason commented, “I think we are beyond that. I think we truly are my friends.”
The master sergeant continued through the list of America’s conflicts up through Iraq and Afghanistan, and in each the veterans were applauded.
Greason said a veteran’s service to their nation and community does not end after they remove their uniform for the last time.
“Service becomes leadership in our work places, guidance for our youth, in compassion for our neighbors, and a voice of calm in times of division,” she said. “Veterans are builders of bridges, defenders of character and reminders that unity is still possible. And friends, that is exactly what America needs right now.”
As part of Tuesday’s ceremony, U.S. Army veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan Steven Young and retired Sgt. First Class Ryan Smith each made donations to the post.
Among the elected officials present Tuesday were 4th Ward City Councilman Ronnie Morris, 2nd Ward Councilor Johnson Biggs, Mayor Kirk Rivers and N.C. Rep. Bill Ward, R-Pasquotank