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Thank you to veterans or veteran family members who took time out of their day to stop by the Dare County Veterans Advisory Council booth Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the Day at the Docks annual event in Hatteras Village. Because the fun schedule is very busy with an array of special features and activities, the much-anticipated Friday/Saturday event permitted booth vendors on Saturday only, and our devoted veteran service officer Patty O’Sullivan and several of the council officers, members/volunteers were present to greet our veterans, answer questions, offer the free Dare County Veteran Discount Card (with proper I.D.) and Patty was happy to help our heroes start the process to acquire a duplicate DD-214 if your original had been misplaced, lost or unintentionally destroyed over the years and/or to make an appointment to assist you in filing a V.A. disability claim or discuss V.A. health care.

However – and unfortunately after all the effort to drive down, set up the tent, booth and table and ready to rock ‘n roll – the wind began to blow and then the rain and it poured and poured and the wind blew harder forcing the group to pack it up and drenched to the bone, they headed back north to Nags Head. They were disappointed because they went to be there for you, our veterans, our very deserving men and women to thank you and to offer whatever help they were able to discuss on your behalf. Patty is a certified V.A. liaison between our veterans and the V.A. and folks, let me say there is much that she does because of her devotion to our veteran community, for example:

Wednesday, September 17, 2024, Patty went to a scheduled meet/greet in Columbia for veterans and their family members. The purpose was to enable those able to attend, to talk with her so she could promote any benefit that might be available to them or their widow or widower through the V.A. In fact, she does this on her own as a volunteer effort, not a pay day, because she cares THAT much!

So, friends, if you are a veteran or know a veteran who lives in Tyrrell County (or elsewhere) who might prefer traveling to Columbia to meet with Patty, please mark your calendar for every third Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Veteran Service Office on Water Street. If y’all have your DD-214 please bring it with you and when you arrive, expect her to get down to business to see what she can do to help you.

You may also get an opportunity to meet Patty’s husband Tony, an impressive U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran, council member, OBX V.F.W. Post 10950 member, and a man devoted to all veterans who love this country. Oftentimes, Tony participates with Patty in events and like other council members, he is involved in additional veteran related activities/meetings throughout Dare County and beyond. Patty’s son Justin O’Sullivan is an amazing U.S. Army veteran and chairman of our council who does an outstanding job always putting our veterans first; other incredibly devoted council members include Rick Probst and Ellen Aidoock, both U.S. Army veterans, Jim Scroggin, U.S. Coast Guard veteran, and Kevin Wallace, U.S. Air Force veteran. Our remarkable council secretary is Lisa Lloyd, whose husband Anthony is a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. Lisa is an educator by profession although she loves working on behalf of our veterans everywhere. Knowing her as I do, she is an excellent candidate for placement on our Dare County Board of Education! Go Lisa go!

Another thing, if you remember a few weeks ago, I wrote that one of our local pastors have offered to give a Bible to veterans who would like to have one. Lisa is the point of contact to make arrangements as to where to pick a Bible up if you would like one. She is local, so just call/text 415-246-4790 to make arrangements!

Every single one of our council contributors is enthusiastic, loyal, dedicated and wonderful! Do you know how sometimes folks who apply to serve on a board, council or committee either attend on rare occasions or just enough to remain in the group? No offense, but it is true, and we all know it. But not our Veterans Advisory Council members! I know how these men and woman stick to their commitment. They show up, and if they cannot attend in person, they call in to join a meeting by teleconference. I speak honestly, having served as the first secretary from the council’s inception and for 11 years after. I witnessed our council and their adoration for their “brothers and sisters” every day. They are A+ and I genuinely love each one of them. And even those who volunteer to help in distinct aspects of the council … they, too, are helpful and effective in many ways, another good man and veteran Tim Willis, for example.

Please take note that if you want to reach Patty you can at her office: 252-475-5604, cell/text: 252-473-7749 and email: patricia.o’sullivan@darenc.gov.

Patty and I are the only two who issue the Veterans Discount Card, so also feel free to call me if you would like to meet either of us to get one. My cell/text is 252-202-2058 and email: giglineheroes@aol.com. If you would like to review what businesses have signed up to thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice by offering a discount for their goods, services, restaurant food, etc., please search darenc.gov/veterans for the list.

Next week I will offer my perspective on matters that could affect, enhance and/or improve our lives. In the meantime, be healthy, safe and happy. I love you all and I am grateful when you take the time to read my Gig Line, a loving tribute to my incredible husband Billy, a U. S. Army Vietnam veteran who now lives in Heaven. God bless you all. Stay tuned!

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