Salute to veterans reminds us that freedom requires gratitude, care

It was a day the Glen Alpine community had been building to for more than six months. Dollar by dollar, the community raised enough funds to turn a nondescript monument into one of the most significant veteran tributes in Burke County.

The fundraising began shortly after TJ Rose, an Air Force National Guard veteran, spoke at the monthly Board of Aldermen meeting in April. He convinced the elected leaders to approve a $1,000 donation to kickstart efforts to enhance the monument sitting at the entrance of town on U.S. 70.

Rain stopped just in time Saturday morning for town staff to close the main street, set up chairs, and fire up the grill for free hot dogs.

By the time the event formally began at 1 p.m., about 100 people had gathered around the bandstand on Linville Street as master of ceremonies Jim Glick welcomed everyone. The Marine vet introduced DeAnna Boone to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by the presentation of colors by Freedom High School Junior ROTC and Boy Scout Troop 197 to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

The program’s finale featured Commander Fred Costner of the American Legion, who dedicated the new improvements at the veterans memorial: the concrete pad shaped like a Purple Heart medal, military service flags, brick pavers, and the Battlefield Cross — a rifle pointed downward, a helmet on top, and combat boots at the base, which originated from a field custom to mark those killed in combat.

Among the most emotional moments came from County Commissioner Brian Barrier, a Glen Alpine native. He spoke movingly about his military service, the realities of war, and the sacrifices made by veterans and their families.

Drawing from his own experience as an Army veteran deployed to Bosnia, he described the devastating aftermath of conflict: “Families against families, neighbors who had once shared fences now divided by hatred and fear ... Villages reduced to ashes, homes destroyed, fields laced with land mines.”

Barrier recounted memories of encountering children “huddled together in the shells of bombed-out buildings, just trying to survive another day.”

As a soldier, he was trained to be neutral, something he would struggle with when he looked into the eyes of suffering and hungry children.

“Sometimes we broke the rules. We slipped them an MRE, a piece of bread, a bottle of water,” he said as he wiped a tear from his face.

Reflecting on the broader meaning of service, Barrier said, “Military service isn’t about glory or medals. It’s about purpose. It’s about standing shoulder to shoulder with people from every corner of America.”

He concluded by urging that Veterans Day is “a day to remember that freedom requires gratitude, attention, and care.”