A final resting place
By Steve Herring
Published in News on November 10, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Gov. Pat McCrory makes a joke as he takes a photo with a group of veterans after the Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery dedication ceremony Monday. The cemetery was dedicated in honor of Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler, who died in Iraq on Oct. 22.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Andy Anderson sits among the crowd during the dedication ceremony for the Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery Monday afternoon. Anderson's work with planning was key to the cemetery being built in Wayne County.
More than 200 people huddled under a large tent Monday afternoon as a constant, and at times heavy, rain fell during the dedication ceremony for the $4 million Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
But braving the rain was the least spectators and the speakers could do considering that the nation's military serves under much harsher conditions, said James A. Woodard, Vietnam veteran and facilities manager for the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs.
The ceremony also was used to pay tribute to Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler, a U.S. Army Special Operations Command soldier who was killed in Iraq on Oct. 22.
Speakers included Gov. Pat McCrory, whose arrival was delayed by the weather, Congressman Walter Jones Jr. and Cornell A. Wilson Jr., the state's first secretary for the new Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Jones, McCrory and Wilson spoke of the state's commitment to its veterans and the military's presence.
Jones said that the most distinguished guests at the event were the veterans.
"Thank you for what you have done," he said. "What this means today, the rain can't damper this wonderful investment that has been made primarily by the state of North Carolina."
Jones said he remembers some years ago when local leaders meet with him and wanted to know if they could get the federal government to authorize the cemetery.
"The local leaders had done what was necessary," he said. "You see it here today."
But the federal government could only make a partial commitment, he said.
"I want to say to the governor and Legislature, thank you for what you have done to make this a reality," Jones said. "I cannot wait to see it when it gets fully open.
"We know that our veterans deserve the very best, and when that final call comes, they will have the very best here in Goldsboro, Wayne County. This will be the resting place where people, young children can come to see a relative."
They will be able to walk among the headstones and look at the heroes who were willing to go to war for America, he said.
One of the leaders Jones spoke of was former Wayne County commissioner and Air Force veteran Andy Anderson, who was responsible for "selling" the cemetery program to federal officials.
"That was the biggest thing -- getting them convinced to do it," Anderson said. "But we made the presentation to them, and what we offered them, they said it was one of the best offers that they had. And it was a done deal.
"It was one of the quickest things that I ever did. It was about five years in the planning part of it, but actually doing it, I would say about six months. It was really, really quick. I couldn't believe how quick it did go."
Anderson said it was good to see such a large turnout despite the rain and muddy conditions.
Anderson said he had been driving out to the site on Long's Plant Farm Road just off U.S. 70 East almost weekly to check on the cemetery's progress.
"I think it is a great cemetery," he said. "One thing that I am really pleased to see is the elevations in there, the roads and all so it is not just a flat piece of land like most of the cases around here.
"It looks nice, and there is twice as much more land to bury people in. I think it is great deal. I think it is going to do a lot for the community, both the military and the civilians alike."
McCrory said he had promised a cousin who had served in Vietnam that he would do everything he could to ensure that future generation of heroes would be given the respect that the Vietnam veteran did not receive.
He also spoke of the state's efforts to demonstrate its commitment to being the most military friendly state in the country.
To that effort, military members in the state are entitled to in-state tuition to community colleges and state universities.
Also, the state has made it easier for veterans to receive college credit for what they learn in the military, for example military police and truck drivers.
Anyone who can drive a truck under fire in Afghanistan can drive a truck in North Carolina, he said.
"If you can avoid mines in Afghanistan, maybe you can avoid potholes right here in North Carolina," McCrory said. "Our goal for the veteran coming home from Afghanistan and Iraq is to be able to get a job and get the necessary health care to help their families.
"So what we want to do is help them with certification and college credits so they can get their jobs as quick as possible."
McCrory also cited the creation of the cabinet level Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
"There are men and women that, like our Vietnam veterans, like our Korean veterans, like others, the forgotten, and we move on with our lives," he said. "But there are men and women right now in Afghanistan and Iraq who feel alone.
"We need to do everything we can to show them that we love them, support them and that they are not forgotten. The people of Wayne County and Goldsboro are doing just that."
McCrory ended his comments by officially welcoming veterans home, especially those who served in Vietnam.
Following the ceremony Woodard said the state is in the process of posting the positions and hiring the administrative staff for the facility as well as the groundskeepers.
"My goal is after the first of the year, probably in late January or the first of February (for the first burials)," he said.
The state is still in the process of completing the necessary inspections and should take possession of the facility in about two to three weeks, he said.
"We are doing the punch list now. We are probably 95 percent complete," he said. "I am hoping that next week or week after the complex will be accepted by the state."
Initially there will be five employees at the site.
"Now as we bury people, and we get more graves, then we probably will have to increase to take of the graves as well as to continue to do the burials," he said.
Hours will generally be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. In the summer the hours may be extended, he said.