ELZABETHTOWN — A day after the nation remembered those soldiers who have fallen in the line of duty, the Soldiers & Airmen Assistance Fund gave thanks to Campbell Oil and Gas Company for their support of North Carolina’s troops.

Dennis Roach, director of the Soldiers & Airmen Assistance Fund, presented a print with signatures of soldiers to representatives of Campbell Oil and Gas Company along with plaques for them to hang up.

“We wanted to do something personal this year,” Roach said. “The personal signatures were the soldiers’ way of saying thank you.”

Wesley Campbell accepted the awards on behalf on Campbell Oil.

“We certainly appreciate working with you,” Campbell said, adding that he felt it was an honor to be able to sell products in their stores that can help support the troops.

“The Soldiers & Airmen Assistance Fund is being part of a family. We consider you guys to be a part of our family. We want to thank you for all you do for us,” said retired Col. Steven Martin.

Lt. Col. Robert Bartholomew joked that he could say two things for sure about the Campbell Oil family: “One, they’re dedicated to public service, and two, they’re avid N.C. State fans.”

“They’ve done a tremendous amount of work to help soldiers and airmen who need support,” Martin added.

The Soldiers & Airmen Assistance Fund is a non-profit charitable organization established in 2004. Their sole mission is to help N.C. National Guardsmen and their dependents. The SAAF provides funds for food shelter, utilities, medical emergencies, educational grants and more. They also support the wounded warrior program and assist the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Brendaly Vega is a summer intern for the Bladen Journal from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

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Brendaly Vega

Bladen Journal intern