Military veterans and their families may know about particular benefits that are available to them because of their service to the country, and those benefits extend to burial in a national cemetery.
Through perseverance, carefully documented research and the help of a genealogist, Phyllis Maynard is planning a springtime memorial service at Salisbury National Cemetery for her grandfather, who served during World War I.
The cemetery is the only one of its kind in the state that is currently open for burials and memorial services, according to Phillip Smyre, cemetery director. And, in fact, Maynard’s grandfather is taking the very last spot in the memorial section of the historic cemetery. Plans for an expansion are underway and that project could begin next year, Smyre told guest host Maynard and John C. Rose during the monthly installment of “Former Active Duty, Still Boots on the Ground segment of TownTalk.
Genealogist Kim Knight helped Maynard, herself a military veteran, locate information regarding her grandfather, Willie Maynard. He died under tragic circumstances when Maynard’s father was only 4 years old. And his service to his country was not acknowledged. Until now. Maynard said she and Smyre are planning a service to officially recognize her grandfather’s military service during warmer weather to accommodate elderly family members who want to attend.
Usually, cemetery officials can confirm a veteran’s service through social security numbers, army ID numbers or the discharge DD-214. But Maynard’s grandfather was not issued a social security number when he was born, so the process took a bit longer. Knight, the genealogist, first found a death certificate and then had to work back from that point to find information about his military service.
“He deserved to be memorialized with honors,” Knight said.
Smyre said it was a group effort, with Knight’s and Maynard’s input, along with the scheduling office in St. Louis, MO “to confirm that Mr. Maynard was indeed a member of the Armed Forces during WWI.”
No matter the need, Smyre said he and his outreach staff are ready to help family members who have questions or need assistance. Phone 704.636.2661 to learn more. Staff conduct ongoing outreach programs with local churches, community centers and veterans’ groups to get the word out about the services that are available to military veterans.
On land that once housed a prison during the Civil War, the Salisbury National Cemetery originally interred both Union and Confederate veterans; it had to continue to evolve, however, at the conclusion of World War I, then World War II, then Vietnam.
About two years ago, pre-placed crypts were placed to give more room for burials, Smyre said.
National cemeteries are held to slightly stricter “standards of upkeep” than state cemeteries, he said. “Headstones are set at a certain height, the grass, depending on the type is cut to a certain height,” he said, adding that there’s “a little bit more of a microscope on the national cemetery.”
State cemeteries do a great job, he said, but often don’t have the funding that a national cemetery has, which affects resources and staffing.
Sonya Leazer, administrative specialist at the cemetery, said a national cemetery will accept any eligible veteran, regardless of where they lived. State cemeteries require that a person live in the state for at least 10 years to be eligible for interment. National cemeteries accept interment of a spouse of the veteran at no cost to the family.
“They can be interred as long as they’re eligible,” Leazer said, and if the veteran is eligible, the spouse also is eligible. There are certain additional requirements for a child to be interred in the cemetery with parents.
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TownTalk: National Cemeteries
/by Laura GabelMilitary veterans and their families may know about particular benefits that are available to them because of their service to the country, and those benefits extend to burial in a national cemetery.
Through perseverance, carefully documented research and the help of a genealogist, Phyllis Maynard is planning a springtime memorial service at Salisbury National Cemetery for her grandfather, who served during World War I.
The cemetery is the only one of its kind in the state that is currently open for burials and memorial services, according to Phillip Smyre, cemetery director. And, in fact, Maynard’s grandfather is taking the very last spot in the memorial section of the historic cemetery. Plans for an expansion are underway and that project could begin next year, Smyre told guest host Maynard and John C. Rose during the monthly installment of “Former Active Duty, Still Boots on the Ground segment of TownTalk.
Genealogist Kim Knight helped Maynard, herself a military veteran, locate information regarding her grandfather, Willie Maynard. He died under tragic circumstances when Maynard’s father was only 4 years old. And his service to his country was not acknowledged. Until now. Maynard said she and Smyre are planning a service to officially recognize her grandfather’s military service during warmer weather to accommodate elderly family members who want to attend.
Usually, cemetery officials can confirm a veteran’s service through social security numbers, army ID numbers or the discharge DD-214. But Maynard’s grandfather was not issued a social security number when he was born, so the process took a bit longer. Knight, the genealogist, first found a death certificate and then had to work back from that point to find information about his military service.
“He deserved to be memorialized with honors,” Knight said.
Smyre said it was a group effort, with Knight’s and Maynard’s input, along with the scheduling office in St. Louis, MO “to confirm that Mr. Maynard was indeed a member of the Armed Forces during WWI.”
No matter the need, Smyre said he and his outreach staff are ready to help family members who have questions or need assistance. Phone 704.636.2661 to learn more. Staff conduct ongoing outreach programs with local churches, community centers and veterans’ groups to get the word out about the services that are available to military veterans.
On land that once housed a prison during the Civil War, the Salisbury National Cemetery originally interred both Union and Confederate veterans; it had to continue to evolve, however, at the conclusion of World War I, then World War II, then Vietnam.
About two years ago, pre-placed crypts were placed to give more room for burials, Smyre said.
National cemeteries are held to slightly stricter “standards of upkeep” than state cemeteries, he said. “Headstones are set at a certain height, the grass, depending on the type is cut to a certain height,” he said, adding that there’s “a little bit more of a microscope on the national cemetery.”
State cemeteries do a great job, he said, but often don’t have the funding that a national cemetery has, which affects resources and staffing.
Sonya Leazer, administrative specialist at the cemetery, said a national cemetery will accept any eligible veteran, regardless of where they lived. State cemeteries require that a person live in the state for at least 10 years to be eligible for interment. National cemeteries accept interment of a spouse of the veteran at no cost to the family.
“They can be interred as long as they’re eligible,” Leazer said, and if the veteran is eligible, the spouse also is eligible. There are certain additional requirements for a child to be interred in the cemetery with parents.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 09-13-22 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Cooperative Extension With Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden
/by Bill HarrisListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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County Water Expansion Project Continues On Track; Construction Maybe In Spring 2023
/by WIZS StaffThe regional water project continues to move forward, and county commissioners last week approved an amendment to the engineering services agreement as part of its compliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture review process.
“We are still working with USDA to get to the point where they will authorize us to go to bid on the project,” Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen told WIZS News on Monday.
McMillen said if all goes well, the county will be able to finalize one remaining easement agreement that is necessary to gain USDA authorization to start the bid process.
“We are hopeful that would put us in position to get to construction in the spring of next year if all falls in place,” he said. The Phase 1B part of the project involves installing about 25 miles of water line to the east side of the town of Kittrell – that includes Bobbitt Road, Abbott Road, Julian Smith Road, Kittrell Road, S. Chavis Road, Dr. Finch Road, parts of Dick Smith Road and others in the area, McMillen explained.
The total cost is estimated at $6.5 million and includes $1,672,000 in USDA loan funds, $2.8 million in grant funds and $2 million in county ARPA funds.
The county has been working on this phase of the project since it took ownership of the Kittrell Water Association in 2018.
The Local Skinny! United Way Yard Sale
/by Laura GabelWhether you’re de-cluttering with a purpose, or whether you are finally taking a moment to clean out the garage or closet, Desiree Brooks says the items you are parting with be a big help to the community.
Bring your gently used furniture, home décor items, electronics, baby and kid items and more to the United Way office this Friday in advance of a yard sale to raise money for nonprofit agencies.
Brooks is president of the local United Way, which supports nonprofits in Vance and Warren counties. This group is 100 percent volunteer organization, and though COVID-19 derailed yard sales for the past couple of years, Brooks told John C. Rose on Monday’s The Local Skinny! that the agency is getting back into the swing of things.
Volunteers will happily accept donations between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16 at the United Way office, located at 715 S. Garnett St.
“All the money stays local,” Brooks said, and encourages the community to make their donations – either with goods for the yard sale or by visiting https://unitedwayvance.org/united and clicking on the Give button. The yard sale itself will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 at the United Way office on Garnett Street.
Previous yard sales have netted a couple of thousand dollars for United Way, which in turn allocates money to area agencies. “We want to be able to allocate more,” Brooks said. “We realize the organizations depend on grants…we want these fundraisers to be as successful as possible.”
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TownTalk: McGregor Hall Continues Positive Impact With Upcoming Shows
/by Laura GabelFrom the stage, actors delight and entertain audiences with their performances. But the way Mark Hopper sees it, the local and regional actors who perform at McGregor Hall have important roles off-stage as well – Hopper sees them as ambassadors for the regional venue and for the community of Henderson, too.
Rehearsals have begun for the upcoming production of “The Little Mermaid” and Hopper old John C. Rose during Monday’s TownTalk that close to 100 people are – or will be- coming into Henderson seven nights a week for rehearsal. “And that’s just the cast that’s participating,” he said. When cast members go back to their home communities and talk up the shows or just the beauty of McGregor Hall, they promote ticket sales and more visitors to the area.
“The reach of that cannot be overstated,” said Hopper, who serves as McGregor Hall’s director of operations and heads the board of directors.
Henderson residents should be proud to say that McGregor Hall brings world-class entertainment right into the community. “It’s extremely important to us that we be a venue for all in the community…it’s part of our mission that we provide something for everyone, and do it affordably,” Hopper said.
The McGregor Hall Live! Series kicks off later this month with a show called “Smokey & Me,” featuring Charl Brown, who performs the biggest hits of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles on Sept. 25.
“This guy is pretty amazing,” Hopper said, calling Brown “the real deal.”
McGregor Hall patrons can purchase tickets to all five shows in the 2022-23 series for $115, which Hopper said is a real bargain.
How can the venue attract such a high caliber of talent? Lots of agreements with national companies that license productions and lots of phone calls with agents and other groups that represent touring companies and musical groups.
“We have to pay a pretty good chunk of change just to have permission to present it,” Hopper said of the Disney production. But these large-scale, professional productions help to showcase the talent on the stage, and also, well, the stage itself. “We’ve really made a name for ourselves here,” Hopper said of McGregor Hall.
“We really have an all-star cast,” he continued, adding that 2017 Miss North Carolina Victoria Huggins returns to McGregor Hall as Ariel. Jonathan O’Geary has the role of King Triton.
In addition to the Smokey Robinson tribute and the fall production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” Hopper said McGregor Hall will host a holiday concert by the Raleigh Ringers and America’s Got Talent finalists and audience favorites Sons of Serandip in February, followed by Ballet Magnificat in April.
Although it’s not a part of the McGregor Hall Live! Series, a special concert, sponsored by Mast Drug, is set for January 28, 2023, Hopper said. The Oak Ridge Boys will perform at McGregor Hall and tickets will go on sale later this week, he said.
“That was a big catch,” Hopper said, adding that it’s taken several years to land the group, because they continue a rigorous touring schedule. “They do a lot of touring with The Gaithers,” Hopper said. “They haven’t slowed down one bit.”
Visit https://www.mcgregorhall.org/ for a complete listing of show dates and times, and to view videos of some of the groups that will take the stage locally during the 2022-23 season.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 09-12-22 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Fire Ants
/by Bill HarrisListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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Visit Sept. 15 Open House At MHCO To Learn More About Community Support Center
/by WIZS StaffPlans are underway to create a community support center on the campus of the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford to offer resources, training and other services to families in the community.
Through a partnership with the Granville County United Way, FGV Smart Start, Granville Education Foundation and Baptist Children’s Home the Masonic Home for Children invites interested community agencies to an open house on Thursday, Sept. 15. Drop by between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. to learn more about how to identify and address family needs, provide services, network and make referrals for services on behalf of families in need.
Some of the proposed services include:
Visitors can come to the Parham Cottage at the children’s home, whose main campus is located at 600 College St., Oxford.
Epsom Park Closer To Reality With $434K Grant Award
/by WIZS Staff-information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James Hicks
The future of Epsom Park became clearer after crucial funding was announced last week.
The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority awarded more than $17 million in grant funding to provide support to 39 local parks and recreation projects through N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). Franklin County will receive $434,625 for Epsom Park.
The county’s board of commissioners adopted the Epsom Park Master Plan, approved the application and matching funds for PARTF grant, and added the project to the county’s Capital Improvement Plan at the Mar. 21, 2022 board meeting.
“The development of this park will enrich the lives of the residents of the Epsom community by offering a safe facility that encourages creative learning while promoting physical activities for healthy living,” said Franklin County Parks & Recreation Director Oliver Greene.
Epsom Park’s master plan includes a playground, a picnic shelter, a large multipurpose field, and a paved walking path – all to be included in the PARTF fund project. An outdoor fitness area and a 9-hole disc golf course are included on the master plan as future facilities.
PARTF grants require a 50/50 match from the requesting local government. Franklin County’s match is $434,625.
With outdoor recreational opportunities like V.E. & Lydia F. Owens Park and the future Epsom Park along with revitalized downtowns and a robust expansion of rural broadband internet, it’s no surprise that Franklin County is ranked as the state’s fourth fastest-growing county over the next two decades.
“Our parks and recreation areas are so valuable to our communities and they’ve become more popular than ever,” Governor Roy Cooper said in a press release earlier this week announcing the grant awards. “These projects we’re funding…will give people even more opportunities in North Carolina to build healthier and happier lives.”
Stay updated with information from Franklin County by visiting www.franklincountync.gov; signup for email updates using the “Get Email Updates” button on the homepage.