Submitted parade photo from the 2019 Salute! parade is courtesy of Brandon Davis.

 As with everything else affected by the COVID pandemic, the annual Salute! festivities have been modified to allow us to honor veterans while practicing behaviors that help prevent the spread of the virus.

The GI Joe Living History Museum will conduct this year’s Salute! celebration to honor veterans on Saturday, November 7, 2020. The program is set to begin at 1 p.m. at Pearson Park in downtown Kinston. The featured speaker is Tad Brown, the North Carolina State VFW Service Officer. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans’ service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard, and reserve forces.

The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. Many arrived home wounded or sick. No medical care or veterans’ pension was available for them, so they were left to care for themselves. 

In their misery, some of these veterans banded together. They formed organizations that would eventually combine efforts to become the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Today, membership in the VFW and its Auxiliary stands at more than 1.5 million.

“Over the years Salute! events have highlighted and honored the sacrifices of our veterans in preserving America’s cherished freedoms,” said Salute! Chairperson Eric Cantu. The event also honors Ted Sampley, one of the original organizers of Salute!

The opening ceremonies will be followed by a veteran’s concert featuring the Southern Touch Band. Southern Touch specializes in Southern rock, country, blues, and rock n’ roll. Local vendors and non-profit organizations will also be on hand.

At 7 p.m. a special “Veteran’s Tribute Show” will be held outside of Vernon Park Mall. This free “Drive-In Video Show” will offer special in-car audio reception. This event will capture the essence of the original theatrical performances of the past 19 years. The original concept, designed by Mary Beth Dawson and Ted Sampley, was to create theater performances to celebrate and honor veterans.

In at least two of the earliest shows, Salute! brought Adrian Cronauer to Kinston to host. Cronauer’s services as a radio DJ during the Vietnam War were captured in the film “Good Morning, Vietnam.” Robin Williams played the role of Cronauer.

I asked Adrian how accurate the movie was. He looked at me and said with a grin:

“Well, I was in Vietnam, and my name is Adrian Cronauer.”

Because of the COVID pandemic, this year’s show will be a video projected in drive-in movie style. Ron Raines is directing this effort, and the management of the Vernon Park Mall is allowing Salute! to use at the rear of the main building as the screen. At present, the forecast is predicting a lovely evening, but should rain come, then rain will put a damper on this video event since moisture will create distortion.

On Veterans’ Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, Salute! will sponsor a private parade at the North Carolina State Veterans Home.

In addition Salute! members will offer special Belk’s “Charity Day” tickets throughout the week for a $5.00 donation. Each certificate gives the purchaser a $10.00 discount on any Belk purchase from November 13 through 15. Belk will be doing a “sneak-peak door busters” sale that weekend.

Eric Cantu and his Salute! team are determined that even COVID will not stop them from paying tribute to the service of those who put their lives on the line to protect our country and our freedom.

Please join them in showing gratitude to our vets.

Mike Parker is a columnist for Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.