Erin Smith, Journal Staff Writer

ELIZABETHTOWN — A bright blue sky and warm sun greeted folks on Friday morning as Bladen County residents gathered at the National Guard Armory in Elizabethtown to pay homage to the county’s veterans. Stunt pilots performed overhead to kick off the festivities as folks mingled with veterans and some looked at the memorial wall in front of the Armory.

“Bladen County citizens support every effort to honor and recognize you,” said Bladen County Commissioners Chairwoman Margaret Lewis-Moore in her opening remarks. “We are aware of and appreciative of the sacrifices you have made.”

“The United States is the greatest country in the world,” said keynote speaker Ophelia Munn-Goins, herself a veteran.

She asked the veterans in attendance to reflect upon two questions — why did they chose to serve their country and what were the sacrifices they had to make in doing so.

“I served for 20 years and I am proud to stand before you,” said Munn-Goins.

Munn-Goins told the audience her desire to serve her country dated back to her childhood. She recalled how she discussed the idea with her mother, who told her she had to complete college first. Munn-Goins did so and in 1981, she joined the Army. She had a brother who had also joined the service prior to her enlistment.

“I say thank you to all the men and women and their families,” said Munn-Goins of the veterans.

In honor of the Veterans Day holiday, Bladen County schools held an essay contest for the middle and high school students. The students were presented with the question, “What does a veteran mean to you?”

Of about 300 entries, the winners of the contest were recognized during the ceremony with plaques. The middle school winners were Jeremy Davis, Hailey Dove, Jaqwell McKoy, Haley Dimery, and Kaitlynn Smith. The high school winners were Quashe Shaw from East Bladen High School and William Marsh from West Bladen High School and the overall winner was Brittany Hollis.

When asked what Veterans Day meant to him, Bladen County Sheriff Deputy Warren Holder reflected a moment.

“Those who couldn’t come back, we always keep them alive and show them our respect,” he said.

Holder served 20 years in the U.S. Army and saw service in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

Col. Roy Allen, who leads the East Bladen JROTC program, paused to reflect on his service as well.

“You can’t do enough to recognize the sacrifices of our veterans and I’m not saying that just because I am one,” said Allen. “Our men and women are out there somewhere protecting us and that requires a great deal of sacrifice. Every major crisis that occurred in my family, I was in the field,” said Allen.