Thank you, veterans

Local residents gathered in Kinston on Wednesday to honor the sacrifices made for America during periods of peace and war.

Veterans Day observances were held at American Legion Post 43 and the Georgia K. Battle Center, where former members of every branch of military service met to reflect on their service and the service of current military personnel.

U.S. Rep. G. K. Butterfield, D-N.C., thanked the nation’s veterans Wednesday. Butterfield visited Kinston and met with veterans at the Battle Center where breakfast was served. He later visited New Bern and Goldsboro for Veterans Day events.

Among the 50 people who attended the breakfast were veterans Cyril Colefield and Willie Laughinghouse of Kinston. Colefield served in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1964. His son, Lt. Cmdr O.C. Colefield, followed in his father’s footsteps in the U.S. Navy.

“He is standing tall,” Cyril Colefield said of his son. “He is heading soon back to Iraq for a second tour.”

Laughinghouse served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1968. He was wounded in Vietnam and said Wednesday that after the war he endured further hardships.

“My time in Vietnam has wounded me,” Laughinghouse said.

Butterfield also recalled his experiences in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. He said he was drafted and boarded a bus on June 7, 1968 in Wilson for basic training.

“I didn’t want to go,” Butterfield said. “I was in college and involved in the civil rights movement.”

Veterans said whether they were drafted or volunteered for military service, they were proud to serve their country.

“When duty called, we stepped up,” Kinston City Councilman Joe Tyson said. “There will always be conflict in the world. Veterans Day is a time to honor the sacrifices of those who served.”

Tyson was among thousands of men who were drafted into the military during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s. He spoke humorously about the options he had when the U.S. Army wanted him to report to duty.

“I didn’t have the money to go to Canada, my grandmother didn’t want me to go to jail, so I went to Vietnam,” Tyson said to laughter from the veterans.

Veterans at American Legion Post 43 also shared their experiences. Herman McLawhorn was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1951 and retired from the Army National Guard in 1982. He served in the Korean War.

McLawhorn’s son, David Cook, will head to Iraq next month. Cook serves in the U.S. Army 1st armored division.

“David has been in the army for 16 years,” McLawhorn said. “We recently saw him at Fort Jackson in South Carolina.

“Everybody should take time and give thanks to people who have served or who are serving.”

Despite a rain downpour, a Veterans Day ceremony was also held at the Lenoir County Courthouse where several veterans raised an American flag.

Chris Lavender can be reached at 252-559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.