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By the time you all see this edition of Gig Line, The Wall That Heals will be here in just over a week, so in the essence of time, I want to dedicate this week’s column to three very important schedules. The OPENING CEREMONY, the CANDLELIGHT CEREMONY and the HATTERAS ISLAND VETERAN TRANSPORTATION SCHEDULE. It might be a good idea to keep these schedules handy to make your plans to attend, because our sincere hope is that every Dare County – Outer Banks citizen and visitor of every age can be a part of this incredible and unforgettable experience.

Opening Ceremony Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Soundside Event Site, Nags Head, NC

Patriotic Music – U.S. Marine Corps Brass Quintet

Opening Remarks – Dare County Veterans Advisory Council Chairman Justin O’Sullivan

Prayer – Chaplain Cherri Wheeler

Presentation of Colors – Elizabeth City VFW Post 6060

Pledge – Betsy Robinson

National Anthem – Betsy Robinson

Welcome – Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard

Guest Speaker – Chris Kelley Cimko

Guest Speaker – U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath

Guest Speaker – Barry “Fuzzy” Holt U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran

“They” – Poem Reading – Chaplain Cherri Wheeler

“Sergeant MacKenzie” and “The Dawning of the Day” – Patrick Mullally on Bagpipes

21 Gun Salute – Outer Banks VFW Post 10950 OBX American Legion Post 26

Taps – Bugle – Dave Luckenbaugh

Candlelight Ceremony

Friday, November 17, 2023 at 6 p.m.

Patriotic Music – Tripp Harrison

Welcome – Barry “Fuzzy” Holt U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran

Opening Prayer – Chaplain Hardy Owens, LCDR, USN, CHC

Pledge – Betsy Robinson

National Anthem – Betsy Robinson

Guest Speaker – Chaplain Hardy Owens

Reading of Local Names (Dare County Vietnam veterans who have passed) – Chaplain Hardy Owens

and family members who lost loved ones

“They” – Poem Reading – Chaplain Hardy Owens

“Amazing Grace” – Patrick Mullally on Bagpipes

Taps – Bugle – Marty Griffin and Art Cohn

Dare County transportation to provide free Hatteras Island shuttle service to The Wall That Heals

The Dare County Transportation Department and the Fessenden Center have announced that it will provide free shuttle service from Hatteras Island to The Wall That Heals during the exhibit’s four-day stay at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head this month.

The Wall That Heals is a traveling, three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., that tours the country. The free exhibit – which is hosted by the Dare County Veterans Advisory Council – will be on display at the Soundside Event Site from November 16, 2023 through November 19, 2023 and open to the public 24 hours a day.

The following shuttle trips have been scheduled for Hatteras Island residents on Thursday, November 16, 2023, Friday, November 17, 2023 and Saturday, November 18, 2023. Pre-registration is required by calling the Fessenden Center in Buxton at 252-475-5650.

Morning Bus Pickup Times:

Thursday, November 16, 2023, Friday, November 17, 2023 and Saturday, November 18, 2023 ● 8 a.m. Fessenden Center (46830 N.C. Highway 12, Buxton, NC) ● 8:30 a.m. Food Lion (41934 N.C. Highway 12, Avon, NC) ● 9 a.m. Rodanthe Beach Access (23731 N.C. Highway 12, Rodanthe, NC) The bus will arrive at The Wall That Heals at approximately 9:30 a.m. and depart The Wall That Heals at 11 a.m.

Afternoon Bus Pickup Times: Thursday, November 16, 2023, Friday, November 17, 2023 and Saturday, November 18, 2023 1 p.m.

• Fessenden Center (46830 N.C. Highway 12, Buxton, NC)
• 1:30 p.m. Food Lion (41934 N.C. Highway 12, Avon, NC)
• 2 p.m. Rodanthe Beach Access (23731 N.C. Highway 12, Rodanthe, NC) The bus will arrive at The Wall That Heals at approximately 2:30 p.m. and depart The Wall That Heals at 4:30 p.m.

Space is limited, so please call the Fessenden Center at 252-475-5650 to make your reservation as early as possible. All Dare County residents and property owners ride for free.

The following wheelchair accessible trips have been scheduled for Hatteras Island residents on Thursday, November 16, 2023 and Friday, November 17, 2023. Pre-registration is required by calling the Dare County Transportation Office at 252.475.5640, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pick-up Times:  Thursday, November 16, 2023 and Friday, November 17, 2023

• 9:30 a.m. Fessenden Center (46830 North Carolina Hwy 12, Buxton, NC)
• 10 a.m. Food Lion (41934 North Carolina Hwy 12, Avon, NC)
• 11 a.m. Rodanthe Beach Access (23731 N.C. Hwy. 12, Rodanthe, NC) The van will arrive at The Wall That Heals at approximately 11:30 a.m. and depart The Wall That Heals at 2 p.m.

Veterans with a Dare County Veterans ID (Discount) Card ride for free. For non-veterans, the cost is $3 each way. For those who may require ambulatory/wheelchair assistance, caretakers ride for free.

Note: If you require a mobile aid such as a wheelchair, please contact the Dare County Transportation Department at 252-475-5640, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to coordinate wheelchair accessible transportation to The Wall That Heals. For more information about The Wall That Heals, please visit www.DareNC.gov/Wall.

On behalf of all members of the Dare County Veterans Advisory Council and The Wall That Heals Committee and our Dare County Commissioners, thank you all! Thank ALL of you who have stepped up to honor our Vietnam veterans by donating your countless hours of time; your money and your genuine and vast support to help bring this honor to our loved and appreciated Veterans across Dare County, and well beyond. Because of all of YOU, it’s almost here!

If you have any questions, please call or text my cell: (252) 202-2058. Patty O’Sullivan, director of the event and Dare County veteran service officer (in my opinion absolute “extraordinaire”) can be reached at her office: (252) 475-5604; cell: (252) 473-7749 or by email: patricia.o’sullivan@darenc.gov.

Until next time be healthy, safe and happy. If you are a veteran or a veteran lover and fan, I thank you! God bless you all, hug those you love and know that I love you too. Stay tuned!

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