SALUTE, the non-profit organization that runs the GI Joe Living History Museum and the Walk of Honor, began with an idea. The idea was to honor the veterans of Lenoir County for their sacrifices in defending the freedoms of America’s people.
SALUTE, the non-profit organization that runs the GI Joe Living History Museum and the Walk of Honor, began with an idea. The idea was to honor the veterans of Lenoir County for their sacrifices in defending the freedoms of America’s people.
November is an important month in the veterans’ community when we honor the service of our military veterans. While May is the official month for celebrating the contributions of the military and their families and our nation’s military dead, November provides an opportunity to honor those who have served in the U.S. military.
Artist Linda Paluka flew in from Montana to paint the third white rose on the POW/MIA chair at the G.I. Joe Living History Museum. The white roses symbolize those North Carolina servicemembers missing in action in Vietnam who have been recovered. Frederick Hall, Bynum Price, and Edward Morgan were the three servicemembers whose roses were painted on the chair.
On January 7, 1970, Lt. Commander Michael George Hoff was shot down and disappeared while on a mission with Attack Squadron 86 near North Vietnam. A year later, his wife, Mary Helen Hoff, a member of the National League of Families, recognized there needed to be a symbol to remember the missing and prisoners of war in Vietnam.
With November right around the corner, the veterans community is preparing to host a wide variety of events in Lenoir County the week before Veterans Day. The public is invited, and all the events are free to attend. One such event is the presentation on November 11, 2023, at the Kinston High School Performing Arts Center.
AmVets Post #1111, Lenoir Emergency Services, and the Green Lamp Community Action will host the 22nd annual commemoration of 9/11 in Kinston. The event will take place at 210 W. Gordon Street in Pearson Park, September 11, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. This ceremony will not only pay tribute to those who died that day, but will honor our first responders, military, and veterans who serve our community daily.
American Legion Post #43 is holding its Fall Open House on Sunday, September 10, from 1-4 p.m. This yearly event is designed to connect veterans with our local community and allow the Lenoir citizens to view our facility.
Representative Greg Murphy of the third Congressional District visited the G. I. Joe Museum on Hwy 11 last Friday. He came to Kinston to pay his respects to local veterans and speak about current issues facing them.