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KENANSVILLE — More than 100 people along with community leaders and dignitaries came together to celebrate a groundbreaking ceremony for the Veteran Services and Senior Center at the Duplin Commons on Thursday, Nov. 9.
The 12,363-square-foot facility will house the Duplin County Senior Services and the Veterans office. The new building will enable both departments to provide more comprehensive services, foster social connection and community engagement.
Larger spaces will facilitate service for more people, provide adequate parking, and ample space to host events and classes.
“To celebrate an occasion like this where we can celebrate our seniors, celebrate our veterans, and give them a place to congregate, to form relationships it just means everything to the community,” County Manager Bryan Miller told to the Duplin Journal. “It makes us stronger as a county. I’m incredibly excited.”
County Commissioner Dexter Edwards welcomed the crowd, sharing he was pleased all of the county commissioners were in attendance.
“I think that in itself shows the support that is behind this. I would like to say that it’s the state’s support that really got us here because they have given us $5 million for this project,” said Commissioner Edwards as the crowds cheered.
Commissioner Edwards spoke about Melisa Brown’s key role in taking a dream that started more than 25 years ago and making it a reality.
“She don’t give up,” said Commissioner Edwards about the Senior Services director. Y’all know how hard she works and how dedicated she is, and you know without question if it was not for her, this wouldn’t happen either.”
After Commissioner Wayne Branch gave an invocation, Miller took to the podium and thanked everyone who had a hand at making the project come to fruition.
“This momentous occasion marks the beginning of a project that will not only provide a dedicated space for our beloved seniors to come together, but also honor and support our brave veterans who have selflessly served our nation,” said Miller. “We look forward to the positive impact that this center will have on the lives of our cherished seniors and veterans.”
Brown was next to take the floor, in a touching speech, she shared that the dream of a larger Senior Center dated back to 1998, when the late Walter Brown Sr. was the director.
“Unfortunately, Mr. Brown passed away in 2007, but his dream has remained in our hearts all these years,” said Brown, adding that when Steven Moore came onboard, he too shared the desire to secure a larger facility. “Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Moore allowed me the opportunity to learn and grow in a leadership role, and my passion for (serving) seniors has not wavered.”
Brown also credited Woody Brinson, NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature Speaker, for his advocacy efforts in Raleigh and the Duplin County Senior Center Foundation nonprofit. “Mr. Brinson continues to advocate and search for avenues to assist with funding efforts for the Senior Center,” said Brown.
“I have been known to say that we serve a forgotten generation. Today, that is not the case, the seniors nor the veterans have been forgotten.”
Laura Drakeford, Veteran Services director was next echoing the sentiment of gratitude. She then introduced retired Major Harvey Knowles who played the harmonica.
“Our longest serving soldier at 93 years young,” said Drakeford, explaining that the World War II veteran is “always on duty.“ She shared about Knowles’ time in the Korean War and Vietnam and how to this date he can be seen at “every cemetery in Duplin County… every Memorial Day, every Veterans Day and even at funerals paying tribute and honoring our soldiers, our veterans in their service to our country.”
After the groundbreaking, guests mingled and posed for photos across from the construction site. The atmosphere was one of joy.
“We are very pleased,” said Commissioner Edwards to the Duplin Journal. “We are so thankful for our state representatives. This could not have happened if our state representatives hadn’t got behind it financially and this is something that our county needs. Our people in the county have dedicated a lot of service throughout the world and we are now getting the chance to recognize our veterans, recognize our aged, and we are so pleased.”
The target date for completion of the $6.2 million facility is December 2024.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Drakeford, who is excited for the new space, as they are currently operating in a 642-square-foot building.
“We will still provide the same services with the addition of maybe a veteran’s council, where my different organizations– American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars will all be able to come together and collaborate on improved or more services for the veterans.”
