Speaker Peter Caulk
By Becky Long
Publisher
Clay County was awash in patriotism over the Veterans Day holiday. In addition to Hayesville High School, Middle School and Elementary each receiving the distinguished Patriotic School of the Year from the American Legion Department of North Carolina, the celebrations continued.
During Saturday’s Veterans Day service one of several signs showing Clay County’s distinction as a Purple Heart Community was unveiled. In addition, plans for the new Veterans Memorial were on display.
American Legion Post 532 Commander Robert Seibert opened the program by introducing County Commission Chairman Dr. Rob Peck and thanking him and fellow commissioners for the support of the memorial which is expected to break ground in the spring of 2024.
“First I want to thank all veterans for their service — this day is obviously about you,” Peck said. “The Veterans Memorial will stand right here,” he said pointing to the conceptual drawings of it. “It’s been in the works for some time... too long.”
The memorial is a joint project between the commissioners and the local VFW Post and American Legion. It’s a big project that includes a public space, service flags and wall panels with memorials from WWI, WWII, Korea, Cold War, Vietnam and the global war on terrorism. It will also be used as an outdoor classroom to give young people a better understanding of history.
The memorial is interchangeable meaning the writing on the monuments can be changed if necessary. “We want it to be a history lesson, a tribute, not a cemetery,” Peck said.
The project is a costly one while it is receiving support from the county, Peck noted that donations are still needed. If anyone has questions, contact VFW Auxiliary member, Betty Bradley via email at: bbradley@ claync.us or call 389-0089. Checks should be earmarked for the Veterans Memorial Park.
“We hope to break ground in the spring and we’ll be pushing to have this facility done by next Veterans Day,” Peck said. “We want to make it truly a tribute to veterans.”
Another milestone was Clay County being designated a Purple Heart Community by county commissioners.
In last week’s newspaper, Seibert explained the purpose of being a Purple Heart Community. “It is to express gratitude to those of our community who were either wounded or killed in combat defending the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans. I want to take a moment to share a little history of the medal, the thoughts of a recipient and an encouragement,” he said.
The Purple Heart is the oldest military award still presented to American service members. Though criteria for who could receive the heroic distinction has changed since its inception, today U.S. service members of any rank who have been wounded or killed in enemy action are qualified to receive a Purple Heart medal.
During Saturday’s service Veteran Steve Pullen said, “I hope we never forget that the living suffer their wounds today so that we can be free tomorrow. I sincerely hope that when you see a veteran, you will say thank you.”
Veteran Michelle Stegner read aloud the proclamation from the county. Commissioner and veteran Clay Logan was recognized for his efforts to get the Purple Heart Distinction for Clay County. He and Seibert unveiled the sign designating it as such at the end of the ceremony.
In addition keynote speaker Peter Caulk, a pilot who flew off aircraft carriers “0 to 180 mph in 60 seconds, explained his life-l0ng love for flying and as a Top Gun himself, his experience in working on the “Top Gun,” film with Tom Cruise among others.
“It was fun to make the movie, they were all great people. Cruise was very nice and respectful.” said Caulk who attended the Hollywood premiere.
However, his time as a Top Gun pilot involved a lot of guts and hard work. He called it the most competitive training he had ever been through.
“What habits I developed in the military helped me through life. I recommend young people go into the military. I admire the heck out of you,” Caulk said to the audience of veterans.