On Saturday, November 13, the Town of Mint Hill and the Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce held a drive-thru breakfast event at Veterans Memorial Park from 8:00 am until 9:00 am for local veterans from Mint Hill and surrounding area.
The AFJROTC was on hand from Independence High School; the local Boy Scouts, a Scottish bagpiper, and Bugles Across America played taps. Also in attendance were Mayor Brad Simmons; Mint Hill’s First Lady Renee Simmons; Town Commissioners Dale Dalton, Patrick Holton, Tony Long, and Mike Cochrane. Former Mayor Ted Biggers joined in the festivities to hand out hot boxed breakfast meals as cars passed by picking up their warm meal. The only item missing was a hot cup of coffee as it was a brisk morning.
For decades, the Town of Mint Hill has provided an Annual Veterans Breakfast at the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, but due to the COVID pandemic, the town decided to hold the drive-thru breakfast instead supplied by Chick-fil-A for the second consecutive year. The Mint Hill Fire Department provided their hook-ladder truck to raise a giant American flag at the event for all to enjoy.
We interviewed the Mayor, Town Commissioners, and organizer of the event Cassie Brooks, who all expressed a similar message. To sum it up best, they all mentioned the opportunity to celebrate our veterans, to share a token of appreciation, and to give them the recognition they deserve for serving our great nation.
We all hope to return indoors next year for Veterans Day to enjoy a comfortable sit-down breakfast, with all the festivities and camaraderie the veterans express when they are able to meet and greet one another. The many stories and experiences mentioned during various conversations are always interesting to hear. To witness the different service branch rivalries play out is always amusing, as this is all part of a bond and mutual respect these veterans have for their service and sacrifice.
It is truly a brotherhood and sisterhood for many. They all come from different backgrounds, experiences, ethnicity, education, religion, and different regions of the country. However, they all took a solemn oath, all put on an American military uniform, and would always protect the warrior standing next to them. They are all patriots; their service should be honored and some recognition is well deserved.
Freedom is not free. It comes at a very high cost to preserve the freedoms we all enjoy and many times take for granted in our society.
