For the next week, our extended Downtown Cary area will set aside time to honor Veterans from our community. The weeklong Salute to Service culminates on Veterans Day, November 11th and kicked-off with a special lunch event today at Prestonwood Country Club.
Nearly 400 people gathered in the big ballroom for the annual Veterans Day luncheon, an event that has called the Herbert C. Young building home, but on this day took to the grounds at Prestonwood.
The room was packed with dignitaries, including local and national elected officials, representatives from the North Carolina Department of Veteran Affairs, supportive members of our community, but most importantly men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform dating back to World War II.
“We’re here as Veterans to honor Veterans,” said Jack Smith, Town of Cary Councilman, and only currently serving councilman in Cary who is a Veteran.
Councilman Smith emcee’d the event which included music honoring all branches of the U.S. Military. Here is a proud Marine Veteran carrying his branch’s colors into the event:
Here’s something pretty incredible about this event.
Every Veteran in attendance, in fact everyone who was there today, was able to have an amazing lunch from Prestonwood at no cost. We owe a huge thank you to the team at Prestonwood and the Town of Cary for making an event like this possible. In addition to that, if Veterans were unable to attend, since it was a full house, not only were the 350+ there treated to lunch, but box lunches were available for Veterans to pick up at the Cary Senior Center today as well.
Amazing, right?
“We are always going to do what we need to do to make sure Veterans get what they deserve,” said Terry Westbrook, the Assistant Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs.
We had the pleasure of meeting amazing members of our community, including John Young, who at 96-years-old was in attendance today. Mr. Young served in WWII as an infantry Marine before later becoming a pilot. He wore his purple heart with pride, and the crowd ensured they echoed that pride when we was asked to stand for recognition.
We also met Rose Phillips. If you’re a fan of WRAL’s Tar Heel Traveler, then maybe you saw her there. Mrs. Phillips spent a lifetime creating beautiful flower displays are major events. She was kind enough to share a handcrafted flower with us.
Mrs. Phillips’ husband, Edward, passed away in 1996. He was a Navy Commander and a Bronze Star recipient.
One last piece to share with you that grabbed our eye was this lone table, set today to honor our brave Veterans who did not return home from the battlefield.
This event is kicking off a week of moments in-and-around Downtown Cary to honor Veterans. Here are other ways you can help honor our heroes.
Operation Green Light
For the week of November 7-11, Cary will be taking part in Operation Green Light, a national collaborative to support military veterans, by lighting the front of the Cary Arts Center in green each night in the lead up to Veterans Day. Citizens and businesses are encouraged to participate as well.
Veterans Day Observance (Friday, November 11, 2022 | 11 a.m. | Free)
Join members of our community at Veterans Freedom Park for a ceremony honoring veterans of all wars and conflicts. The ceremony will feature remarks from Cary Town Council members, special guest speakers from local veteran organizations, and patriotic music from the Old North State Band. The event will include a dedication of a new Blue Star Memorial Garden at Veterans Freedom Park.
Field of Flags
A special Field of Flags will be placed at Veterans Freedom Park all week long in honor of those that have bravely served in the armed forces.