Jeff Cathcart, a U.S. Navy veteran who is District Commander for The American Legion in N.C., was guest speaker for the 2017 Veterans Day observance at the CCCC Siler City Center.
SILER CITY - "Celebrating American Heroes" was the theme of the Veterans Day program on Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Central Carolina Community College Siler City Center.
This event began at 10 a.m. and included veterans who shared their military experiences and student presentations.
Featured speaker was Jeff Cathcart, a U.S. Navy veteran who is District Commander for The American Legion in N.C.
Cathcart spoke about selflessness. "When you put that uniform on and you swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States and defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic, you say that I'm basically going to give my life," said Cathcart.
"I want to encourage you today to think outside of yourself," said Cathcart, noting that we should be appreciative to veterans for giving of themselves to go over to another land where one doesn't have the rights that are available in the United States of America.
"We truly have a nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And we need to celebrate that every day," said Cathcart.
The event included patriotic music by vocalist Victoria Chall.
Also participating in the program were military veterans Siler City Mayor John Grimes (Army), Siler City Police Chief Gary Tyson (Marines), Chatham County Veteran Services Officer Shane Hutchinson (Navy), and faculty, staff, and students of the College and Career Readiness Department (CCR). Also present were Mark Hall, CCCC Chatham County Provost; Daniel Loges, CCR Coordinator; and CCCC Veteran Upward Bound student Vincent Jones (Army).
Mayor Grimes talked about the words indivisible and teamwork. "It's one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Those are great words," said Mayor Grimes, who then talked about teamwork in the military. "As a nation, we have to be a team. We have to work for the betterment of all. Just like in the military, in sports, you work for a team. And this nation is a team."
"There are a lot of veterans right here in Siler City who feel we have forgotten about them," said Chief Tyson. "I just wish that those veterans that I see walking around, their heads down, could be here today so we could hug them and tell them how much we appreciate their sacrifices."
The observance was intended to offer gratitude for deserving men and women who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and for the year-round sacrifices of service members and their families.
For more information on CCCC's CCR programs, visit the website www.cccc.edu/ecd.
For more information about CCCC, visit the website www.cccc.edu.
Jeff Cathcart, a U.S. Navy veteran who is District Commander for The American Legion in N.C., was guest speaker for the 2017 Veterans Day observance at the CCCC Siler City Center.
Siler City Police Chief Gary Tyson (Marine veteran) participated in the Veterans Day program held Nov. 2 at the CCCC Siler City Center.
Siler City Mayor John Grimes (Army veteran) participated in the Veterans Day program held Nov. 2 at the CCCC Siler City Center.
Victoria Chall, vocalist, provided music for the Veterans Day program held Nov. 2 at the CCCC Siler City Center.
"Celebrating American Heroes" was the theme of the Veterans Day program on Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Central Carolina Community College Siler City Center.