Rutherford Weekly

Our 18th Year • Issue No. 38 • September 23, 2010 EZ Wireless Unlimited Minutes • Unlimited Text Message Nationwide Cellular Works On The Nations Largest Network NO CONTRACT • NO CREDIT CHECK Starting At “SMALL T WN FRIENDL “SMALL TOWN FRIENDL Y”® Y” 369 Butler Road, Forest City, North Carolina 28043 • Phone: 828-248-1408 ...WE RE JUST PROUD AMERICANS!" ...WE'RE JUST PROUD AMERICA' "WE RE NOT HEROES... "WE'RE' Entry form on page 16 OT HEROES... • 644 S. Broadway St. Forest City 828-202-5597 EZ Wireless $4495 Monday-Friday 9am-6pm Saturday 10am-2pm pageplus Email: advertising@rutherfordweekly.com S!" Per Mo. HOME PHONE SERVICE • FIRST MONTH FREE! $15.65 No Connection Fee! Cashon theCash on theSpot! Spot! Bring us your chains, bracelets, rings... anything gold & we’ll pay you TOP DOLLAR! and receive more TOP DOLLAR! MentMention this adion this ad and receive more for your gold!for your gold! B&D’THRIFTS & LOAN B&D’S & LOAN THRIFT 596 South Broadway St., Forest City 828-245-3551 Mon.-Fri. 8:00-5:45 Sat. 8:30-4:30 Rutherford T wn Rutherford Town Revitalization Revitalization Presents the Annual Presents the 39 39th th Annual As the rain intensifi ed, vets gathered under shelter. Some slept, some talked and some ate again. The special veteran who caught "the" fi sh is awarded with a new fi shing pole! By M A. Andrews • maandrews@rutherfor week .com By M.A.. Andrews • maandrews@rutherfordweeklly.com The date turned out to be 9/11! It was the sixth annual fi shing trip and lunch at Lake Lure for disabled veterans. The sponsor was Rutherford County's DAV Chapter #25. The men and one woman were from Asheville's Veterans Hospital, now known as The Charles George VA Medical Facility. The fi shing trip and lunch honoring American vets, who are being cared for in Asheville at the extended care facility, seemed most appropriate. After all, it was September 11th! The skies were pouring down tears, some of gratitude and some of sadness. There were supposed to be 48 guests. However, the rain prevented 20 other disabled veterans from coming. They were too sick to come out in the weather. Yet, the other 20 plus 8 staff members did come. Every war - every confl ict was represented: World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq - men and one woman who had served our country and now needed care. The annual fi shing trip and cookout at Lake Lure was very exciting for them. As everyone was cooking and huddled under umbrellas or sheds, those with canes and wheelchairs smiled. When I asked one veteran how he was doing he said: "Not too good, I've got diabetes and lost a leg, but I'll make it o.k." You could never tell how sick some were. Every disease was represented. Some had multiple problems. But they looked at you and smiled. They were happy to be there. When I referred to them as heroes, I was given the answer: "We are not heroes, we're just proud Ameri- cans!" They are needy, but humble and grateful for anything given to them. For these special veterans, this annual fi shing trip was uplifting and exciting. Only one fi sh was caught, before the fi shing poles had to be abandoned and everyone sought shelter. Men in raincoats manned the outdoor grill and cooked hot dogs and hamburgers. The ladies from the DAV Chapter # 25 set out pickles, beans, potato salad, homemade desserts and plenty of potato chips. All the food left over was sent back with these "proud Americans" to Asheville. Soon, the excitement began as drawing tickets were passed out to each veteran. As numbers were called, each was given $20. Then the numbers were called again and door prizes were presented to the winners. One man asked me if I could put his $20 in a pouch attached to his wheel chair. He was unable to do so. He thanked me and his blue eyes glistened within a happy face. He was very happy to be there. The man in charge was DAV Chapter 25's Commander Jerry Jones who Saturday, October 2 8:30am - 5:00pm L ve Entertainment B riad October 2nd nd Rutherfordton 8:30am - 5:00pm Saturday, Main Street Main Street utherfordton Livi e Entertainment By: Triad Ramblambling Gypsiesing Gypsies Old 74 Jazz Band ctivities: Old 74 Jazz Band Activities: Arts • Crafts • Food 5K Race & Fun Run Arts • Crafts • Food 5K Race & Fun Run Canine Costume Contest ruman’s Playland utherford Town Canine Costume Contest Truman’s Playland Rutherford T wn www.rutherfordtown.com www.rutherfordtown.com Phone: 828.287.2071 Phone: 828.287.2071 Revitalization vitalization One of the DAV Chapter 25 Auxiliary Ladies helps get vets in wheel chairs under cover. served in the Army from September 1966 to April 1, 1993. The special lady who brought everyone from the hospital, was Recreational Therapy Coordi- nator, Beverly Bradigan. She and a team of seven constituted the staff from Asheville for this event. Even the North Carolina State DAV Commander, Peter McCain, himself from Rutherford County, was there. It was a proud day, an eventful day, a day of appreciation for those who gave so much. The weather didn't seem to dampen the spirits of these awesome guests. Because of the care program they're in at the hospital, we present to you these photographs, but, out of respect, do not reveal their names. After all, they humbly proclaim that they are just "proud Americans!" and we're very proud of them. Before you go to bed tonight, say a prayer of thanks for each of these great veterans. To me they are truly heroes, but to themselves, they were just do- ing their job. How blessed we are to have them in our lives! May God bless each and everyone! Recreational Therapy Coordinator, Beverly Bradigan together with DAV Rutherford County Chapter 25 Commander Jerry Jones. “We do everything under one roof... Foreclosures, Modulars, Manufactured and Financing... You Will Not Find A Better Deal outside Camelot Homes... This is Our promise.” 2626 S. York Rd. • Gastonia, NC 704-824-4000 approved credit Beautiful Home Only with $462 per month 108 AGER DRIVE • KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC Wet but happy veterans and caretakers gather under a tree at Lake Lure. One vet in a wheelchair is helped to get out of the rain. N.C. DAV State Commander gives a winning vet, $20.00! ©CommunityFirstMedia ©Community First Media Community First Media 16,000 copies THURSDAY! winner! EVER HURSD winner! EVERY HURSD You could be our nextour next $ ou could be 100 100 6,000 copies

• Cover