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The other day I drove to Nags Head from Manteo for an errand. It was a beautiful sunny day so I scrunched my hair up so I could put the windows down and enjoy the fresh air. I lowered the driver’s window all the way so the wind could whip through freely; turned the radio on and what was playing? Not political news, not Christian/gospel or country (which I like very much) … it was beach music! Yay! Beach music and it took me back – way back – to the 60s when life seemed so simple.

I felt happy and blessed to have grown up on these Outer Banks in a good family with solid, loving and often times strict parents. The two who brought me into the world and guided my steps were the ones every kid would be blessed to boast about. At 16 I had acquired my driver’s license, waitressed at Polly’s Kitchen in Manns Harbor and then Spencer’s Restaurant (formerly The Reef Restaurant) and then at The Oasis Restaurant, each loved by locals and visitors alike – their seafood was fresh, delicious and the owners were wonderful to work for; and each establishment was located on the Nags Head causeway.

We did not have computers, nor cell phones, no smart TVs, no AI, no vapes, no legalized pot smoking. We looked forward to football games and high school dances and those who were old enough or given permission to go to the Nags Head Casino whenever they had a chance. Hands down, it was “the” hot spot in Nags Head, where salt air saturated the two-story building and the most popular place to go. Downstairs, owner Ras Wescott offered a snack bar and various recreational activities including pool tables, pinball machines, etc. downstairs while upstairs featured a huge and extremely popular dance hall with wood floors, windows propped open across the north/south sides inviting the sound of the surf caressing the beach just across the street. Really popular live bands like the Hot Nuts, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs and others who beckoned everybody to shag, and rock ‘n roll. Everybody loved the loud music, dancing and it was really fun.

Did I ever go? Only twice – once when my brother (a career detective in Florida) accompanied me during his vacation here and the second time with my older sister and her boyfriend. I wanted to go but Daddy said no and that was that … the funny thing is he used to play his guitar at the Casino with a band back in “his” day. (Kinda reminds me of the saying, “Do as I say, not as I do!”) But that’s okay … he was a wonderful father and I loved him and Mama dearly.

Life was so wonderful, and I treasure my memories from those years. But life today is full of good and wonderful things, too … we just must want those better days, safer days, more affordable days and not be afraid to revive the goodness and peace we have known in the past … it is possible. Fear and intimidation have dominated our lives; politics have found a way to change lanes, and we know what happens when we veer out of our lane and cross the center line: head on collisions.

Food? Prescriptions? Gas/diesel? Interest rates? Housing prices, not to mention availability? It concerns me and many of you, too, because you tell me so, but our national security is my biggest worry – the decrease in recruitment is alarming. Those who currently or have signed up to serve in our Armed Forces are heroes … they have a vision; they are disciplined, and I respect all of them. They know serving our nation opens doors for a broad education and a wide and meaty opportunity for benefits that will enhance his/her life and that of their family down the road but with that they also know the risks. What would we do without an adequate military? What if we become even more challenged by dangerous adversaries? What if depleted recruitment and minimized active-duty service members resulted in us having no choice but to re-enact the draft? I pray not.

My hope is not saturated in an inflated dream world, of course I enjoy the use of computers and the internet – good grief! However, I am a realist, and I pay attention. The online dictionary description of a “realist” in the adjective sense is “representing a person or thing in a way that is accurate and true to life.” Life is a blessing, love is an emotion we thrive on and our children, grandchildren and further are treasures of endless joy … so are our friends, our neighbors, fellow students … it is a fact, we will continue to learn from each other until our last breath.

Speaking of students, does anyone reading this column honestly feel that it is okay to spit on Jewish classmates? threaten and intimate them? refuse to respect and not trash the beautiful campuses they have the privilege to study at? or think that it’s alright to desecrate beautiful statues across our land? Do any of us believe anymore in the motto “to live and let live?” There is a whole lot to think about especially in the coming weeks. Please give our current situation serious consideration – our security, our peace, our prosperity, and our children’s future depend on the decisions we will make between now and the final election results are tallied. Thank you.

MARCH TO REMEMBER – September 11. Please mark your calendar to meet Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to participate in the remembrance of our nation’s unforgettable loss, shared sorrow, loving expressions of comfort, and the unity of Americans standing side by side together determined to get through the horrific attack on our nation.

Everyone will meet at the Dare County EMS Station 1/Kill Devil Hills Fire Department Station 14 (1630 N. Croatan Hwy., KDH) and the march will start at 8:46 a.m. From that point, you will go to the Wright Brothers monument and back. Everyone is asked to wear something to honor of those who gave all.

For further information or questions, please contact Lee Goldman at NBFD674@gmail.com and/or see the info on Facebook: Outer Banks 9/11 Memorial Walk. NEVER FORGET 9/11/01 (see flyer and please help spread the word.) Thank you!

ANOTHER VERY SPECIAL EVENT THE FOLLOWING DAY: Thursday, September 12 beginning also in Kill Devil Hills. “To celebrate the USAF’s 75^th Anniversary the USAF Cycling Team, with support from the Chief of Staff of the USAF and the Secretary of the Airforce, inaugurated the 1^st annual bicycle ride in 2022 from the Wright Memorial to the USAF Memorial in Arlington, Va., a 340-mile ride over 4 days. Before the inaugural event the purpose was expanded to include members of US Space Command, raising funds for Wounded Airmen and Guardians and their families, and to promote fitness and recruiting.

“The 2022 inaugural M2M saw 80 active duty and retired Airmen and Guardians participate, in 2023 the number slightly grew to 100. This year, as of the date of this message, 225 cyclists will participate to include 4 wounded Airmen (one of whom is a woman).

“The M2M managers have worked closely with municipal and county governments to ensure the safety of cyclists and other road users. The long-range plan for this event includes expanding the number of cyclists so that it becomes the largest bicycle event in the eastern USA involving many thousands of cyclists.”

PLEASE, PLEASE EVERYONE … if you are able, take the time to station somewhere safely en route of these cyclists who will travel to Va. to welcome them, salute them, and wave with passion their passage north. Show the love we have for them and the appreciation we feel for their sacrifice. Bring your flags or banners to wave, blow your car horns, clap as they pass … let us ALL give the shout out fitting for these heroes! As I understand it, once the photos are finished being taken they will exit the Memorial entrance, cross over to Prospect Avenue, then travel north via Virginia Dare Trail (Beach Road) continuing north and across the Wright Memorial Bridge and begin the first day’s ride to Chesapeake under the escort of law enforcement departments in Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Currituck County.

It will entail bikes, recumbent and trike cyclists comprised in part of wounded warriors and others who will congregate at the base of the Wright Brothers National Memorial at 7 a.m. and while photos will be taken a flight of four U.S.A.F. Modern Fighters will make a low-level flight over the memorial. This information was provided via email correspondence to our veteran service officer Patty O’Sullivan and members of our OBX V.F.W. Post 10950. It should be noted that the Air and Space Force Association (A.F.A.) is paying for the participating wounded airmen’s air travel to Norfolk International Airport on Wednesday, September 11.

An array of veteran-related events will be noted in Gig Line in the coming months, so please keep abreast of events you may wish to attend if you can. Also, if you have access to Facebook, search Outer Banks Veterans.

Speaking of Patty O’Sullivan, if you’re a veteran, spouse, widow or widower of a veteran, please reach out to Patty for advice, guidance, help with filing a V.A. claim; acquiring a duplicate DD-214 or a free Dare County Veteran Discount Card. Contact her office: 252-475-5604, work cell/text: 252-473-7749 or by email: patricia.o’sullivan@darenc.gov. If you would like to talk with me: cell/text (252) 202-2058 or email: giglineheroes@aol.com – I can also issue your veteran discount card.

Until next time, thank you for reading my column. Be well, be safe, and be happy. Pray for our troops, our country, each other, and this upcoming election … our lives depend on it. I love you all and God bless you! Stay tuned!

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