The Town of Mint Hill held it’s 20th Annual Veterans Day Breakfast on Saturday, November 9th from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in the Kerr Building at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church on Bain School Road.
The local town dignitaries were in attendance including the current Mayor Ted H. Biggers, an Air Force veteran. The town Board of Commissioners, staff, including the Police and Fire Chief, were on hand to honor the 300 plus veterans who showed up for the breakfast. Others included the newly elected Mayor Brad Simmons and the recently elected Board of Commissioners Dale Dalton, Mike Cochrane, Tony Long and Patrick Holton.
The Independence High School JROTC Color Guard posted the colors under the supervision of Master Sergeant, Romain Bell retired USAF. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Philadelphia Presbyterian Church all helped to serve the veterans. The invocation was given by Captain Young Chang Ha, and a special plaque was given to Tom Easterling our local elder statesmen, a WW II veteran, a pilot and POW who is 96 years old.
Also, all the important veteran organizations were represented from the newly formed Mint Hill American Legion Post 555, “Triple Nickel”, VFW Post 4059, Marine Corps League, Detachment 750, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 634.
It was a very patriotic celebration with music provided by Carol Cole, and the Smith Brothers. The breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs, a biscuit, sausage and bacon. A good cup of Java which is a welcomed friend for every service member, especially when deployed along with orange juice.
It is a Day to remember, to honor all those veterans who served this great country during peacetime and war. These men and women understood there is a higher calling to serve, protect, and aspire for something more important than yourself.
The Red, White and Blue colors of old glory waved proudly while the spirit of comradeship, fellowship and “esprit de corps” was very prevalent throughout the ceremony. The event included former members of all the military branches of service who live in Mint Hill and the surrounding local area.
As the ceremony came to an end, just like the opening began with reveille, it ended with taps very appropriately as everyone who served in the armed forces for any length of time certainly vividly remembers.
