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The new 12,363-square-foot facility will house senior and veteran services offices
KENANSVILLE — A dream of a larger senior center has come to fruition for Melisa Brown, Duplin County Senior Services director, with the official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of the Senior & Veteran Services Center at the Duplin Commons in Kenansville on Nov. 7.
The new 12,363-square-foot facility, now home to the senior services and veterans offices, will enable both departments to provide comprehensive services and foster social connection and community engagement.
The building provides ample and welcoming space for hosting events and facilitates access to resources for more seniors and veterans. It features a state-of-the-art gym, dedicated areas for crafts and classes, a conference room, and indoor and outdoor recreation areas, complete with TVs throughout the facility.
“Here, our seniors will find support to live actively and independently while our veterans will receive the appreciation and assistance that reflects their service to our country,” said County Manager Bryan Miller during the inaugural ceremony, thanking all contributors to the project.
“Your support and commitment ensure this center is not just a building, but a vibrant, caring resource for all of those who walk through the doors,” said Miller. “We are grateful to everyone who contributed to making this vision a reality, and we look forward to all the good this center will bring our community.”
Retired Maj. Harvey Knowles, a World War II veteran, played a rendition of God Bless America with his harmonica, after which County Commissioner Dexter Edwards highlighted the $5 million state grant that helped fund the $6.2 million facility, emphasizing the importance of recognizing veterans.
“For each and every one of you that live here in Duplin County, you look through this facility and just think about what this would cost us from a tax level if we hadn’t had that grant from the state,” Edwards said.
He also spoke about his parents’ volunteer work with Senior Services and showed gratitude for the groundwork laid by seniors.
“They drilled in my heart and in my head that if we didn’t have seniors laying the groundwork for us youngsters, we wouldn’t have anything. So thank you, seniors,” said Edwards.
Brown reflected on the transition from the previous location and expressed her emotions about starting anew.
“Last Friday, we moved the last load from 213 Seminary Street. In the stillness of the moment, I walked around the office, and I remembered the faces of the ones that would not join us today and all the memories over the last 31 years,” said Brown, holding back tears. “Monday morning, we began a new chapter and started creating new, wonderful memories here on 156 Duplin County Street.”
Retired U.S. Army veteran Monte E. Thorne spoke about the duty to take care of veterans when they return home and expressed his optimism that with the new facility, Duplin County is now equipped to fulfill that duty.
“The veterans and families who will come here will often be concerned and sometimes may even be a little nervous. Sometimes they will come here on one of the most stressful days of their lives. Sometimes even unknowingly, in the last days of their lives. In other words, they will come here in the moments when they need the services the most. And when they do, we need to serve them just as well as they have served our country. Hopefully, this center will help us do just that,” said Thorne.
“Thank you for your courage, your passion, and your willingness to be moved by selfless service. Let us all remember that freedom is not free. But because of our veterans and our current men and women who are serving, we can proudly say, veterans, that our bill has been paid in full. To all who have worn the uniform and served our great nation, I salute you. Your courage, sacrifices, and unwavering dedication to duty has kept us safe and protected our most cherished freedoms. So on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you. We honor you today and every day.”
The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting followed by a tour of the new facility.
