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On Thursday, February 24, 2022, our nation unfortunately heard the news that Russia had attacked Ukraine, so before I address typical veteran related news or updates, I respectfully ask prayerful readers to please pray for their military services and their civilian families.

Pray for all our service members, too, who stand by wondering if they will be given orders to deploy in defense of Ukraine and the vulnerable subjects of war. Pray for their safety, clear thinking and that their training, skills and expertise will protect them, their brothers and sisters and thwart attempts of enemy attack to destroy and annihilate the innocent.

It is horrific in this day and time to see first-hand the destruction of people and their nation in real time with the internet, social media, brave newscasters who report from dangerous places and other means of communication that far exceed the updates during WWII.

It is striking to witness photos and taping of young and old – even an old woman holding a gun to help defend the attack; the crying children; the tired civilians who have had to abandon their vehicles that ran out of gas trying to escape their beautiful homeland.

Imagine for a minute, grandfathers, fathers, sons, brothers being separated due to the call of their brave leader for males 18 to 60 years old to stay and fight for their freedom to protect the women and children who will not have time or means to escape the horrors barking at their door. Imagine how they feel, like so many loved ones over all the years who have remained in place while their brave men went to war to protect, defend and destroy those who seek to kill them.

I think of all our hearts being heavy with worry for the Ukraine nation and others close by who hear relentless sirens warning of the impending bombardment of destruction and death. This whole situation is cruel and from the standpoint of just one American civilian – me – my heart is breaking for them.

Thank the Lord, their Ukraine President Zelenskyy stands as a tower of strength and courage in the face of extreme adversity. He is a figure of hope, determination and undeniable love of country and there is no doubt he is more than a president but now a legend. Wouldn’t it be so wonderful if our American citizens stood together like that and of the period during WWII? As a nation of unified citizens that love our homeland. And our brothers and sisters, despite differences of opinion on other matters?

Prayers are important. Prayers matter and those of us who share a faith in God the Father, I pray we pray in unison for those who love Ukraine; for their ability to withstand whatever is sent to destroy them and for their well-being and recovery. Remember David vs. Goliath? Maybe we will see through this event that when we believe enough, we can kick ass even when the odds are against us.

Update: At the last meeting of the monthly Dare County Veterans Advisory Council held on Tuesday, February 22, the majority supported the project I wrote about a couple of weeks ago being cellphonesforsoldiers.com. At this point in time, we have one donation box located in the lobby of the Dare County Administrative Building in Manteo. However, we are in the process of adding three more convenient locations for depositing old, used, broken or simply outdated cell phones in which the phones are utilized for parts, refurbished and/or sold to replace for a useable or new cell phone for our soldiers and veterans. Check out their website (cellphonesforsoldiers.com) and if you have a cell phone you no longer find useful, please consider the opportunity to help our bravest.

As of next Wednesday, March 9, in addition to the current location, there will be a total of four locations to donate your old, broken, or outdated cell phones or tablet. The three additional sites for depositing them and “drop box ready” are as follows:

• Dare County Administrative Building, 954 Marshall C. Collins Dr., Manteo (currently ready to receive them)
• Dare County Center, 950 Marshal C. Collins Dr., Manteo
• Thomas A. Baum Senior Center, 300 Mustian St., Kill Devil Hills
• Fessenden Center, 46830 NC-12, Buxton

ALSO: Remember to call me at 252-202-2058 or Patty O’Sullivan, Veteran Service Officer at 252-475-5604 if you are a veteran and would like to participate in the Sunday, March 20, 2022, Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 1 p.m. in Nags Head. Veterans are invited to walk beside or ride on the trailer or in the county van in the parade as room permits, however we need to hear from you ASAP. We’d love to see you join in on the fun and pride of having served our great nation, so we can celebrate YOU!

Also, if you wish to obtain your valuable and free Dare County Veterans Discount Card, enabling discounts at nearly 100 business locations on the Outer Banks, please contact either myself or Patty and we’ll be happy to meet with you ASAP!

Until next time, please stay tuned. Look for more news in next Sunday’s Gig Line, where I will discuss the other project recently discussed that we’ll all hopefully have an opportunity to enjoy soon, no matter who hosts it!

This Gig Line is shorter than most, but please know how much I appreciate every one of you and how much I love you all! So, until next time, be healthy, safe and happy and just know how much you mean to us all. God bless you and your families. Stay tuned!

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