By Shawn Nowlin
Last Monday, Nov. 11, marked Veterans Day, the anniversary of the armistice that concluded WWI and now serves as a day to commemorate all veterans. Throughout the City of Roanoke are countless individuals who bravely served in the military.
Of the six branches – Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard – African Americans are represented the most in the Army. Whenever Anthony Walker sees any veteran in public wearing their apparel, he makes it a point to go up and thank them for their service.
“To be a veteran is one of the most selfless things that you could do. The feeling of expressing gratitude to our vets never gets old,” he said. “Veterans Day is a meaningful opportunity for the community to come together for a worthy cause. Roanoke’s commitment to its veterans makes me proud to live here.”
Among the local restaurants and businesses that offered vouchers, deals and coupons last weekend to veterans were 7-Eleven, Applebee’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chicken Salad Chick, Dunkin, iHop, Krispy Kreme, Little Caesars Pizza and Starbucks.
Thousands lined the streets of downtown Roanoke on Nov. 9 for the Annual Veterans’ Day Parade. The route began on Jefferson Street at 11 a.m., transitioned onto Campbell Avenue and concluded on Williamson Road. Before the parade began, attendees were encouraged to participate in a meet-and-greet with veterans in the market.
Every veteran has a story worth sharing. At the Salem VA Medical Center, research is conducted to create innovations that advance health care for every vet that comes through the doors. For Dr. Rebecca Stackhouse, the director of the center, providing vets with the best care possible is a priority.
“The contributions of our veterans are beyond impressive and worthy of recognition and admiration,” she previously told the Roanoke Tribune. “I hope that their stories inspire others for generations to come.”
When Jalen Pinson was in middle school, a veteran gave her some advice that she never forgot. “He came to our school to talk to us about our futures. I vividly remember him saying, ‘You should never go into anything until you have at least thought how you are going to get out of it,”’ she said. “At the time, I didn’t fully understand it. As an adult, it makes perfect sense now.”
Obie Sorrells Sr. says joining the Marine Corps is one of the best decisions that he’s ever made. Like many others, taking part in the Annual Veterans’ Day Parade is something he looks forward to every year.
