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It is my hope that everyone had a wonderful, fun and mostly PROUD July 4^th weekend celebration! While I was invited to my son’s big annual boat picnic in the Manteo Bay, this ol’ girl was quiet at home watching beautiful, touching patriotic music, testimonies and stories of heroism yet within hearing distance of the booms and bangs that reminded me of the grandeur that filled our night skies.

Parents, grandparents, family and friends no doubt enjoyed the beautiful festivities from one end of the Outer Banks to the other and across our entire nation. It was an incredible night regardless of where everybody sat, stood or racked back on a beach towel in the bed of a pickup truck.

This incredibly special holiday brought precious memories of my “forever” husband, Billy, and how we celebrated together for 48 years. He taught me the significance and critically important meaning of true patriotism. Through and through he was “all in” when it came to saluting our beautiful U.S. flag, acknowledging servicemembers who represented every military branch and after serving in the Vietnam War, he fully embraced the term freedom. I sat here considering the big, big deal July 4^th represents and I thought about the emotions I felt with the next day being July 5^th and how it would have been our 56^th wedding anniversary. I also could not help but sadly think again … July 12^th represents the eighth year without the one true love of my life – the 12^th is when he smiled, reached his hand up off the side of his hospital bed and shook hands with God our Father? Jesus Christ His Son? Or was it St. Peter or an Angel welcoming Billy into the Kingdom of God? To say it was an emotional July 4^th is an understatement in the midst of the wee hours of being glued to each channel on the T.V. that boasted massive fireworks and American hallelujahs.

One of the most outstanding was the display of bursting colors spreading out in the background of the United States Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial). I stared at it and felt a twinge of heartbreak for all who fought so valiantly for our freedom and for the oppressed … and the tears ran down my cheeks. That statue was unveiled on November 10, 1954, and it reminds us of courage, struggle, sacrifice and loss of life to so many from one war to another throughout our history. An Associated Press combat photographer Joe Rosenthal is who captured the picture of six Marines raising the flag atop Mount Suribachi during the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. The creation brings to my mind the unity of brotherhood, strength, resilient determination to see things through – together. The image on the far left of the Marine reaching to help support the flagpole stands out in a profound way for some reason and I sincerely embrace it and all the other War Memorials as well.

As time passed and while surfing the channels, I came across the Bill and Gloria Gaither “Let Freedom Ring” program and I am so glad I did! They sang a variety of songs Christian and patriotic songs, but two especially stood out to me. If you have not heard of either of them, I suggest you access them on your YouTube or internet source. The first song was sung by a gentleman by the name of Bradley Walker, whose voice was very deep and beautiful. His contribution was, “Call Me Old Fashioned” and it will take you back to decency, respect, when life was simpler and healthy. The second one was “Meet Me in Arlington” performed by Jimmy Fortune, but have your tissue paper ready. It is about a mother who heard someone grumbling about a soldier and well … PLEASE, PLEASE take the time to pull it up and listen and goodness gracious, you will see what I mean. Either of those two songs could be sung in church, schools or civic meetings and be well received. Trust me folks … take the time to experience the songs unless you know them already.

Do you know how I always include my phone number and email address in my Gig Line columns? I do that because I welcome your comments, feedback, good-bad-or-indifferent and do you know what? I receive considerable responses, which means so much to me. Within the last couple of weeks, I received a call from a kind gentleman who had read the recommended list of U.S. Flag etiquettes I had written about around Flag Day. He was so nice and so patriotic, and I embraced his call with great appreciation. He wanted to let me know that in the list I had missed discussing the proper way to display our flag at night … he was correct! I had accidently missed including that, so here it is! “The American flag should normally only be displayed from sunrise to sunset. However, the flag can be flown 24 hours a day if it is properly illuminated during the night.” In his case he proudly displays their flag for all the world to see on a sturdy flagpole and he is immensely proud to do so! Thank you, fella, and your sweet wife, who loves this country and our beautiful red, white and blue! Again, please feel free to call/text me: 252-202-2058 or email me: giglineheroes@aol.com.

Patty O’Sullivan, Dare County veteran service officer, asked that I include the following information to encourage all veterans and their family members to join in the fun as follows:

The Dare County Veterans Advisory Council will present a booth at the Dare County Family Fun Night Block Party on Friday, July 19, 2024, from 5–8 p.m. at the Kill Devil Hills Rec Center. There will be festivities starting at the Rec Center following through to various locations ending at Aviation Park. The Rec Center is also offering complimentary hot dogs and hamburgers. Check out darenc.gov/blockparty for more information. The council will have the free Dare County Veteran Discount Card available for all veterans who either reside in Dare County or who own vacant or improved land in Dare County … BUT, veterans, in order to acquire yours, you are asked to bring your valid driver’s license (not specifically North Carolina issued) and most importantly your DD-214 (separation from U.S. military service document) showing honorable discharge. If you do not have a valid driver’s license showing your local address, a Dare County tax bill, utility bill or a lease agreement as a named renter will suffice. NOTE: No documents are kept or copied, they are utilized on site for verification purposes only.

Patty went on to explain the booth will also provide you with information and games for the whole family to play. The Outer Banks VFW Auxiliary will also have a drop-off receptacle to collect canned goods for the Beach Food Pantry so they can once again apply for a grant to help the veterans here in Dare County. In your generosity, please take a moment to double check expiration dates on the canned foods prior to arrival and in advance of that, we thank you!

If you are a veteran and have questions about your medical conditions that may be a result of your military service, please contact Patty. She will meet with you if you would like or discuss your concerns over the phone, however making an appointment so that she can obtain your signature/permission to acquire a response or communication with the V.A. is necessary. Please either call her office in Manteo: 252-475-5604; cell/text: 252-473-7749 or email her: patricia.o’sullivan@darenc.gov.

To each veteran, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service and your sacrifice. We salute you, we love you, and so does the good Lord! Gig Line is a weekly column in its 12th year … stay with us and together we will continue to grow our Dare County veteran community and its well-being!

Until next time … be healthy, be safe and be happy! God bless you and your family! Stay tuned!

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