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By Ena Sellers, Duplin Journal
BEULAVILLE — More than 100 people gathered at East Duplin High School to celebrate the annual Christmas Banquet for Duplin Veterans First, Friday night in Beulaville.
The event, honoring veterans of all branches, featured guest speakers Hal Weatherman and Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. The banquet kicked off with a welcome message from Adrain Arnett, founder of Duplin Veterans First. After the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Reverend Ray Kennedy, guests lined up to fill their plates and mingle.
Lt. Gov. Robinson, a veteran himself, has been known to visit Duplin County. When asked what draws him to the area, he told the Duplin Journal that he feels Duplin is “going to be part of the epicenter of new growth in the state.
“North Carolina has a fantastic opportunity right now to start growing this economy, from what I like to say from Murphy to Manteo. Duplin County we feel is going to be a big part of that,” said Lt. Gov. Robinson. “There’s a lot of talent here. There are a lot of places here that have room to grow, and we are going to try to make some investments in places like Duplin County to help this state continue to grow and flourish. We feel like it is a great opportunity to have an epicenter of growth, right here in Duplin County.”
Lt. Gov. Robinson shared that for him responsibility drives success, and his message for the young people of Duplin is to take responsibility for their life, because that is where progress lays. “In the United States it is not about where you start, it’s about where you finish.”
The atmosphere was festive, as busy volunteers peppered throughout the school cafeteria worked diligently to serve the guests. Weatherman was the first speaker to take the floor.
“I want to thank you for what you have done for our country. I want to thank your spouses as well because of the sacrifice that you both made throughout your service,” said Weatherman, as he addressed the crowd.
In his speed he addressed several safety concerns on topics involving state, national and international issues.
After a brief introduction, Lt. Gov. Robinson took to the floor; he was warmly welcomed by a lively crowd.
“We are facing tough times. But here is the good news, we have faced tough times before. We stared them down and we beat them back and we won at every turn and the reason we have is because we have had faith in each other. We have had faith in our abilities and above all, we have had faith in God Almighty,” said Lt. Gov. Robinson.
“…A lot of people say this is not a Christian nation, that is a bunch of hooey. You cannot start out with God and drop him off halfway and expect to reach your destination… The United States of America needs God the same way a Corvette needs 93 Supreme Unleaded gasoline, you cannot run that Corvette on water. You cannot run the United States of America and expect her to keep going without God.”
The lieutenant governor encouraged people to speak their truth and to be unafraid.
“A gentleman asked me why I want to be the Governor of North Carolina… Since that time, I thought about it, and I came to the realization that I don’t want to be the governor… I will go out on a limb and say Hal Weatherman doesn’t want to be the lieutenant governor …Hal doesn’t want to go to Raleigh and be attacked by the press, have his name dragged through the mud by people who despise him because he is trying to do what is right. Neither do I,” he said, explaining what he believes is wrong with some politicians — “they want to be politicians… and call themselves big shots… That is not what we need out of our elected officials. I want to show you what we need out of our elected officials,” said Robinson as he turned to a table where Vietnam Veteran Jerry Autry, 77, sat and asked him to please stand.
“I just met this gentleman right here. This gentleman has given his entire life to service, service to his nation and to his community. He spent time in combat in Vietnam. God blessed him to survive combat in Vietnam and he came home and put his life on the line for his community again as a police officer for 30 years. That is service and that is what we need,” said Robinson, as the crowd stood up and erupted in applause.
Autry, who served two combat tours of duty in Vietnam with the U.S. Army, spent more than 30 years in law enforcement, first serving with the police departments in Surf City, Burgaw and then with the Pender County Sheriff’s Department.
Robinson concluded his speech, sharing that seeing the strength, resiliency, and determination of ordinary folks is what drives him.
“We work hard in Raleigh to do what we do, but the car does not move if you don’t… You are the engine that drives everything. So, if we work hard in Raleigh, you can rest assured we are doing it for you, because you are the secret to success here in North Carolina.”
The event concluded with an auction and raffle prizes.
Rev. Kennedy said he was proud of his dad, Autry. “It was great to see him given some due honor.”
