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Patty O’Sullivan, Dare County veteran service officer, can be reached at her office: (252) 475-5604; cell: (252) 473-7749 and/or email: patricia.o’sullivan@darenc.gov. She is always on point when it comes to assisting veterans and helping to keep them abreast of events that could benefit them and their families. Patty is dedicated to her position and the good of our service members and their well-being. Because we stay in touch often, she has asked that I mention several particularly important upcoming veteran events:

Columbia and Tyrrell County veterans – Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Veteran Service Office located at 108 Water Street in Columbia. Patty will be there to accommodate veterans who would like to discuss and/or file a V.A. claim or enroll in V.A. health care. Veterans are asked to bring his/her DD-214 and their driver’s license or official picture I.D. If a veteran is deceased, the widow or widower should bring a copy of the veteran’s death certificate and their DD-214. If the widow or widower has been married prior to the death of their deceased veteran spouse, they are asked to bring pertinent information regarding their previous marriage. (Please note: Patty is the designated and only liaison between our veterans in Dare County and the V.A. As the veteran service officer, her office location is 109 Exeter St., Manteo in the event you are unable to see her in Columbia.)

V.F.W. District Meeting, Saturday, May 18, 2024 – 9 a.m. will take place at the Colington Volunteer Fire Department, 108 Schoolhouse Rd, Colington. Lunch will be provided.

2024 ALS Awareness Walk – Saturday, May 18, 2024, beginning at 9 a.m. This event is being held in memory of our local veteran Eugene Snead. It will take place at the Virginia Tillett Community Center, 950 Marshall C. Collins Dr., Manteo (the building closest to the highway in the Dare County Courthouse complex). Also, no need to register in advance and please wear red.

Prior to his illness with ALS and his passing in 2016, just about every teenager in Dare County had met Mr. Snead once they reached the age of eligibility (16 back then). At that time, they applied to acquire their N.C. driver’s license, then every four years for renewal after that. Somewhat of an icon, Mr. Snead was the face of youthful independence as each teenager anxiously waited to obtain the opportunity to drive by themselves to school, work and play.

Mr. Snead – a good man known by most of us in Dare, Currituck, Tyrrell and Hyde counties, served as N.C. driver’s license examiner for 35 years. (Imagine the nerve that took with brand new, nervous as heck 16-year-old applicants and very senior citizens he rode with every day!) He was known for his strict, stern demeanor with an all-business approach to certifying that everyone who came before him was eligible to obtain their license before he issued it to them. He was a no-nonsense examiner who made sure applicants were prepared to know how to drive safely not only for their own good but everybody else on the road too; that they knew the “rules of the road;” that they could identify all of the road signs; they were able to perform a three point turn and that they demonstrated good driving skills. He expected no less than his confidence that we could be trusted behind the wheel before that little card reached a palm. To say the least, he made an impression … an unforgettable impression on all of us!

Many locals know his beautiful family, widow Peggy Snead and their two sons Scott and Kevin. Anyone who reads this column remembers my announcements of the Grief Share class schedules as well as info about the organizer/class leader being Peggy. This ministry she implemented years ago offers support to grieving family members and friends who have lost someone very dear to their heart. Peggy does an outstanding job with the 16-week free of charge program … I know because I have attended her classes after the loss of my husband. As I said, Mr. Snead passed into Heaven in 2016. He was a U.S. Army veteran, a former police officer, loved and highly respected by citizens all over four counties and he is missed. If you can attend this event to help raise awareness and funds for this devastating disease and in memory of Mr. Snead and others who have suffered the effects of ALS, please do.

To know the Snead family, is to love them. Please consider that you can make a donation by cash or check the day of the walk or if you would like to donate in advance, please make your check out to: ALS Association, NC Chapter, VTCC (Virginia Tillett Community Center), PO Box 1000, Manteo, NC 27954 or you can just drop it off at the center. Thank you in advance for your help.

Veterans Town Hall, Monday, May 20, 2024, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (See flyer above.)

Until next time, be healthy, safe and happy. Regarding the events of this past week on our college campuses? I have a huge opinion (to say the least) which I will express next Sunday, May 12 in Gig Line. Our world is spinning out of control and no matter what side of politics you are on, this is ridiculous! There is no excuse in the actions of the protestors and others who demonstrated rude, obnoxious, vile and even violent behavior on the grounds of colleges that had previously been held in such high esteem or anywhere else for that matter. How naïve and gullible are we? Did anyone notice that so many of the tents looked the same? I feel sorry for the good, smart and promising students that have been suckered into this mess. How can anyone justify a mob mentality against their fellow students and if it isn’t all students/faculty perpetrating these ghastly events, who is and why? It is all so disappointing …

If you believe in prayer as I do, please pray for our country, our active duty, deployed, stateside, reserve and veterans everywhere. If you would like to contact me, please feel free to call/text my cell: 252-202-2058, or email: giglineheroes@aol.com. I love you all and hope for the best for all of us. Stay tuned!

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