Veterans Ball honors vets with a night of fun
When a plan goes together so well, it may be divine providence. It can also reflect kind people in a caring community pulling together.
Lenoir County’s First Annual Veterans Ball was held for a sold out crowd at the ballroom of Kinston’s Hampton Inn on Saturday night, Jan. 12. Active military, veterans and their guests came from near and far, representing all six branches of the armed forces, men and women aged 25 through 95. Wars were represented from World War II, Korean conflict, through Iraq and Afghanistan. Our honored came with one mission — FUN. By the time the doors opened at 5 p.m. Rick and Jane Vernon began the first of their fabulous repertoire of songs, and the dance floor began hopping, and stayed occupied throughout the night. It appeared the mission was accomplished, as Betty Moore stated, “The entertainment was wonderful, the food was wonderful, everything was wonderful!”
The live entertainment included music to shag to, country, belly-rubbin’, Elvis’s “Return to Sender,” and Patty Paige’s, “Tennessee Waltz...” Guest requests were also satisfied, as Kinston DJ Shon Bruingon took over mid-evening while dance moves such as “Electric Slide,” “Cupid Shuffle” and an array of past and current hip hop, R&B and other favorites were enjoyed. There were prizes and gifts for all, souvenir photographs taken by Michael Taylor of Williamson’s Photography, awards for youngest and oldest veteran present, and the couple married the longest. All present engaged in voting for the king and queen representing this year’s ball.
One gentleman told me, “If your purpose was to honor us, I believe everyone in attendance feels you have done that, and everyone I’ve talked to say they’re having a great time and are looking forward to next year’s ball!”
I know I can brag I got to dance with some honorable veterans and one an especially handsome pilot I’ve come to adore. He asked if he could address the crowd and charmed us all with his love for life, his experiences in World War II and how he credits his mama’s prayers for redirecting his steps at treacherous times. Last month at the Veterans Challenge Community Meeting we gave him presents and sang “Happy (95th) Birthday” to him. When all the votes were tallied at the concluding hour of the Veterans Ball, my favorite pilot, Guy Skinner, and his beautiful friend, Peggy Vandiford, were crowned the 2013 Lenoir County Veterans Ball King and Queen! How royal they appeared indeed!
It was Jennifer Howard’s inspiration for Veterans Challenge of Lenoir County to host a Veterans Ball and I delighted in seeing her and her Marine husband enjoying themselves at it. I am also so proud this county was so supportive. I would like to ask our residents to frequent and support the following businesses and thank the people responsible: Linda Jones and Kinston’s Hampton Inn for being so generous in permitting us the ballroom and being so gracious; Rick and Jane Vernon for being so giftedly talented and superb human beings; the monetary donations of William C. Stallings of Stallings Plumbing, Heating & AC of Kinston; and Dr. Kenneth LeRoy Klein of East Carolina Dermatology and Skin Surgery of New Bern; the prizes, gifts and extra services of The Free Press, TACC9, Kinston DJ Shon Bruingon with Entertainment Xpress; Chef and the Farmer; CoreyCo Roofing; Brown’s Treats; O’Reiley’s; Walgreen’s; Smith’s Café; Corporate Resources; Cubbie’s; Olympian Restaurant; Main Moon; Living Waters International Ministry; Papa John’s Pizza; Sherry Wilner Massage Therapist of Bear Town BodyWork, New Bern; and Charles Anderson of Select Food Service.
Please also give an extra word of appreciation to our awesome volunteers: Jennifer Howard, Lansing Ray Allen, Norma Brown Sutton, Charles Sharpe, Lou Jones, William Coffin, Marissa Wade, Terry Carmon, Linda Tripp, and Merry Faith Palazzo. Thank you one and all, and may God heap extra blessings on you each in 2013 and beyond! Jennifer and I have already been making plans toward Lenoir County’s Veterans Ball, Jan. 11, 2014! (In all we do at Veterans Challenge and in Lenoir County) “Let next year make this year look like the pregame.”
Debby Guthrie, Director
Veterans Challenge
Friends, concerned strangers get dog back
Our miniature schnauzer Lefty who went missing on Jan. 17 was returned home safely today, Jan. 31. We would like to publically thank Mr. Gray Thompson of Deep Run who found Lefty and cared for him until he learned from The Free Press ad that we were looking for him.
We would also like to thank Dr. and Mrs. Briley, Nancy Keel, and the rest of the “Bunco Ladies” as well as our other friends and neighbors who have been so kind in expressing their concern, and for helping to get the word out concerning Lefty.
We are so grateful for loving friends and the concern of strangers. Never underestimate the power of prayer, patience and persistence.
Wayne Jarman
Kinston