BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON

Amid looming clouds and a chill in the air, residents from throughout Northeastern North Carolina came together in a poignant Memorial Day ceremony that blended solemn reflection with heartfelt gratitude. Held Monday at Edenton’s Veterans Memorial Park, at the intersection of East Queen and Court streets, the event paid tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to the nation.

One story recounted a mission where his aircraft was grounded as a thunderstorm loomed nearby. David thought his mission — carrying intel to England — was vital and questioned the command’s decision. Then a C-17 parked near his plane, followed by 13 hearses. The C-17’s cargo doors opened, and crew unloaded several flag-draped caskets.

“It changes your perspective,” he said, recalling how the sight of families receiving their fallen heroes reminded him of the immense cost of war.

“I’m thinking I’m late. I have to go to England. I really didn’t care. But it look that amount of time to realize that what they have lost and what they’ve given was amazing.”

He also told of a young Marine who had lost three limbs in Afghanistan. Despite his devastating injuries, the Marine beamed with hope and gratitude during the flight from Walter Reed Hospital to San Diego.

As the plane landed in California, water truck were shooting water over the top of the plane. “It was the coolest thing you’ve ever seen. (The water) goes right over the plane. It looked like two sabers.”

The entire base leadership stood at attention as Davis’ plan pulls in. The two-star general in command boarded the plane and spent 45 minutes on the plane talking to the Marine and his mother who accompanied her son on the flight.

As the Marine left the plane, he was still smiling as he told Davis, “‘Today, sir, today is the day I get my new legs.’”

Davis, who is a native of Windsor, said that people like the ones he described come from little towns like Edenton and Windsor, from rural areas and urban areas.

“These are the people who every day choose to lace up their boots and put on their uniforms and go about the very serious business of fighting and winning our nation’s wars,” the commander said. “That’s what Memorial Day means to me.”

Past Post Commander Robert “Bob” Oliveria gave the invocation and bendiction. He called upon “Eternal God” to help the community remember the courage and sacrifice of fallen heroes, setting the tone for a day steeped in reverence.

Commemorating 50 years since war’s end

He recounted the war’s geopolitical and human cost, highlighting staggering casualties, including the over 58,000 U.S. service members memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

“There are 58,281 service members on and on the wall, 11 of whom are women,” Matthews said. “There are three sets of fathers and sons on the wall. There are 31 sets of brothers on the wall. 39,996 on the Vietnam Wall are just 22 and younger.

“8,283 of which are 19 years old. The largest group — 33,103 — were 18 years old. Twelve soldiers were 17 years old. Five soldiers on the wall were 16 years old.

“One soldier, Marine Private First Class Dan Bullock, from Goldsboro, North Carolina, was 15 years old. He was only 14 when he lied about his age and joined the United States Marines,” Matthews continued. “As I said, the cost was enormous.”

Matthews honored not just those who served, but also the families, friends, and communities who supported them, asking relatives and loved ones of Vietnam veterans to stand in recognition.

Community Participation

Throughout the morning, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts Unit 164 and the American Legion Auxiliary handed out ceremony programs, paper poppies, and commemorative lapel ribbons to attendees.

Five memorial bricks were installed, four for the Bond family — Linwood D. Bond, Frederick Bond MD, Samuel E. Bond, Samuel and Nancy Bond Jr. and Wayne Bond Jr. — and one for Yates Parrish Jr.

A Shared Purpose

A musical tribute concluded the ceremony, with Ray Ohlert leading the community in singing “God Bless America.” Near the start of the ceremony she sang the National Anthem while the John A. Holmes High School JROTC presented the colors.

Organizers emphasized unity, service, and gratitude — not just for the fallen, but for the living who carry their memory. Gerald Dinunzio, American Legion Post 40 commander, invited attendees to continue the fellowship with food and reflection at American Legion Post 40 following the ceremony. Dinunzio served as the master of ceremonies.

As Davis put it, “The sacrifice that they give to us is unseen sometimes, but hopefully not unheard.”

Chowan County’s Fallen

The following Chowan County veterans were killed in action. This list was compiled starting in 1917. The spelling of names was provided by American Legion Post 40.

• World War I: Fred Bass, Edward G. Bond, Lynn Bond, Thrie Copeland, Grover Jordan, John W. Morgan, Cecil P. Outland, Ernest L. Twine, and Oscar W. White
• World War II: Marvin Alexander, George Armstead, Louis A. Bass, Woodrow Berry, Rochelle Blanchard, Elsbury P. Chappell, William H. Coffield Jr., William I. Cozzens Jr., Herbert Dale Jr., Erie Forehand, Herbert Gray, Edward Habit, William M. Hurdle, Charlie M. Jernigan, Wesley L. Jordan, Lawson C. Mathews, William N. McClease, Teney G. Nixon, Willis Nixon, Alvin Parks, Johnny L. Perry, Woodson Tetterton, George M. White, amd William H. Wilkins
• Korean War: Melvin C. Copeland and Benjamin F. Twiddy
• Vietname War: Louis E. Armstead, Charles W. Hughes, Charlie M. Jernigan, Mack Arthur Jordan and John H. Winborne

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