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Cabarrus honors, remembers veterans
Photo by Jonathan E. Coleman
Sharon Eury was presented a plaque and given a standing ovation for 20 years of service to the Cabarrus County Veterans Service Office during a Veterans Day celebration at the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County on Wednesday.
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Published: November 11, 2009
CONCORD — Several hundred veterans, families and supporters gathered at the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County on Wednesday to celebrate active military and veterans.
As the event began, Sharon Eury, director of the Cabarrus County Veterans Services office, reminded those in attendance of how many men and women have sacrificed their lives in the fight for freedom.
According to Eury, 623,026 soliders died in the Civil War. Another 116,708 lost their lives in World War I. World War II saw 407,316 casualties, while 36,914 died in the Korean War and 269 in the Gulf War. She continued, saying 58,169 soldiers were killed in Vietnam, 911 in Operation Enduring Freedom and 4,357 to date in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"These astounding numbers prove to us all that freedom is not free," she said. "To each of you (veterans), we would like to say 'thank you' for all you have done for our country."
Richard Lapish, U.S. Army, retired, reminded those in attendance of the constant commitment members of the military make to their work even off the battlefield by telling the story of the guards who protect the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in Arlington National Cemetery.
Guards must commit two years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb and refrain from drinking alcohol and swearing in public for the rest of their lives, Lapish explained.
During his first six months of duty, a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off-duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
The tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and has been since 1930. Even when Hurricane Isabel passed through the area in 2003, guards stood in the driving rain and maintained their patrol, Lapish said.
"The sacrifices of our veterans is not to be taken lightly," he added.
Eury honored for 20 years of service
While the event was a way to celebrate veterans, organizers also took the opportunity to recognize Eury's 20 years of service with the veterans office.
After nearly 18 months as director, Eury is retiring from her position at the end of the year. She was recognized with a plaque and a standing ovation from the crowd.
"It has been a pleasure to serve the veterans of Cabarrus County," she said. "I am honored to stand here today in a room full of heroes."
Eury's successor, Travis Waldron, also attended the celebration. Waldron will begin working at the Veterans Office on Nov. 30.
A 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Waldron served in Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia, as well as conflicts in Bosnia and Croatia.
He worked five years at the U.S. Army Academy of Health and Science in San Antonia, Texas.
Waldron spent five of the past six years as a first sergeant and a healthcare manager at the Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg. Following his retirement from the military, Waldron spent this past year as a financial adviser for Merrill Lynch.
Waldron earned a masters of business administration from Webster University of St. Louis, Mo. and a bachelors degree in business administration from Wayland Baptist University of Plainview, Texas. He also holds licensures in securities and life and health insurance.
"I am excited to be able to use my knowledge in both healthcare and business administration to assist veterans seeking benefits and resources," he said. "My business background allows me to navigate through the system and provide advanced research expertise. I also bring with me a ton of resources within the veterans' services network."
• Contact Jonathan E. Coleman: 704-789-9105.
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