The Freedom Breakfast

By Obie Oakley

At the 20th annual Carolinas Freedom Foundation’s Freedom Breakfast, the
organization paid special tribute to the veterans of the Vietnam Era.  In partnership with
the Department of Defense, a ceremony was conducted over the Veterans Day weekend to present 50th Vietnam Anniversary Commemorative lapel pins to

those who served in
the military on active duty during that decade and to receive a heartfelt “Thank You”
from a grateful Nation.

The event was attended by over 500 community leaders and

elected officials from the Charlotte Area including NC Governor Pat McCrory.

Obie Oakley

The DoD realized that these men and women were never accorded the proper respect for their service to the Nation.  In fact, they were reviled and sometimes ridiculed but certainly never received the welcome home they so richly deserved.  To help make amends for this lack of sensitivity, a program was established to form partnerships throughout the country to extend this long overdue recognition.

As the Executive Director, Osborne (Obie) Oakley called to all in audience to all
who served in the military between 1955 and 1975 to come up to be recognized.  To the
amazement of everyone, over 70 veterans walked forward and filled not only the area in
front of the stage but the stage itself.  Foundation board members walked among those assembled to make individual presentations.

Oakley then extended on behalf of a grateful Nation its sincere

Gov. McCrory and Obie

Thank You.

Needless to say, it was an emotional moment that came 50 years later than it should
have.

-OO

And a big salute from CHS54 goes out to Obie for all the work he does for our men in uniform!
Obie said that the Freedom Breakfast was not the only event in a very emotonal morning.....

"... we also honored an 8 year old kid from Ohio who found $20 in a Cracker Barrel parking lot and gave it away to a man in uniform to help other Gold Star kids.  The story went viral (Steve Hartman CBS on the road) and resulted in the collecting of over $250,000.  We also honored the local chapter of Purple Heart veterans.. Downside of the weekend...had to cancel the Salute to Veterans Parade.  Very heavy rains.  Too bad for we always have around 2,000 marchers participating."

-Ed