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The County of Dare has good reason to boast the many successes it has had over the years governing our everyday existence and while so many aspects of life here on the Outer Banks has been so wonderful, the establishment of the Veterans Advisory Council and its outreach to our veteran community has especially proven to be a shining star amongst many.

Established on May 7, 2012 by our Board of Commissioners, the council has grown in leaps and bounds when it comes to supporting our veteran families, publicly and frequently acknowledging them and their outstanding service and sacrifice to our country; creating events that highlight their predominance and influence in our lives – past present and future.

The council is comprised of seven members, all of whom are veterans, the only exception being the position of secretary (who since the very beginning has been the spouse of a veteran). Each member for the most part, unless they moved out of Dare County or passed away, have stayed the course and faithfully attend every meeting, once a month (except December) and if they cannot attend in person due to inclement weather or medical restrictions they dial into the meeting to stay abreast of the business at hand. In other words, they are very dedicated public servants.

Patty O’Sullivan, Dare County veteran service officer, though not a council member officially plays an integral part in the function and workings of the council. She not only serves our veterans when it comes to meeting with veterans (and often times their spouse), processing V.A. claims, requesting through the V.A. duplicate copies of a veteran’s DD-214 (official document of separation from military service), communication with the V.A. on the veteran’s, or widow/widower’s behalf, attending required out of town workshops to keep abreast of changes within the V.A. system but a glorious host of other duties and responsibilities. Often, she organizes and attends booths at various events such as Dare Day, Seafood Festival, and any/every public activity involving Veterans across the county.

Patty was the director and organizer of the largest and I believe only five day 24-hour tourist draw held in Dare County being, The Wall That Heals, this past November 2023 in Nags Head, which encompassed 200 volunteers, not only from Dare County but many from out of town some having driven eight hours here in order to participate and support the honor to our veterans, both whose name was engraved on The Wall That Heals, but also the Vietnam veterans who survived the war and came home many of which had died since then due to the effects of exposure to Agent Orange.

She is a ball of energy and in all the time I served as council secretary from May 2012 to December 2023, I have never seen her refuse to initiate ideas, or volunteer to help with anything that was positive for our veterans. (Note: Rhonda Creef was our V.S.O. prior to Patty coming onboard after Rhonda’s retirement in 2017).

Our council is awesome … we initiated the free Veterans Discount Card and to list all our accomplishments to date? A whole page would be necessary! If you wish to reach Patty for an appointment, please call her office: (252) 475-5604, cell/text: (252) 473-7749 or email: patricia.o’sullivan@darenc.gov.

This is an unusually short Gig Line, folks, but next week will be a doozey! Until that time, be healthy, safe and happy. Just know that I’ll be thinking of you all and that I love you! Please pray for our troops and pray for our nation. Call/text me if you wish (252) 202-2058 or write to me at giglineheroes@aol.com. And as usual … stay tuned!

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