Photo By Master Sgt. Duane Brown | The Spring Lake community welcomed Howard Pate Jr., a WWII veteran and native of...... read more read more
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SPRING LAKE, N.C.. – 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) participated in the Spring Lake, North Carolina Heroes Homecoming and Candlelight Walk Nov. 4, 2016.
1st TSC Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Bell joined the city’s mayor Chris V. Rey as the keynote speaker for the ceremony that honored WW II Veteran and Spring Lake native Howard Pate and all Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“It is an honor and a privilege to have been invited here today to be a part of this great event to recognize our WW II veterans, also known as America’s greatest generation,” said Bell. “A soldier like myself has been on Fort Bragg for quite a few years and have come to realize that many of our soldiers and families are really part of the surrounding communities.”
“It has been said that the WW II’s generation persevered through difficult times of war and peace has ultimately made the U.S. a better place and earned them the title of the Greatest Generation,” said Samuel L. Jones, Spring Lake recreation and parks director and retired Army sergeant major. “They were born and reared in a time marked by war and economic depression yet they developed personal responsibility, duty, honor and faith. Every stage of their lives was part of historic challenges and achievements.
The Spring Lake community welcomed Howard Pate Jr., a WWII veteran and native of Spring Lake to be this year’s honorary guest.
“Mr. Pate is the personification of the town of Spring Lake and has been here his whole life,” said Jones. “When the town was established in 1951 he was the postmaster here.”
Even with all the achievements he has had over the years, these are not the things that define him.
“He’s humble and is always willing to take a moment to share his personal experiences with members of the community,” said Jones. “Just having the opportunity to meet with fellow citizens of his caliber and wealth of knowledge is what makes this such a great community.”
Pate joined the Army at 18 years old in July of 1944, while his father was stationed overseas serving in Italy. He served in Europe with the 101st Airborne Division and was discharged from active duty in 1946. He went on to serve in the Army National Guard and Reserves until retiring after 21 years of service to his country in 1965.
Utilizing his Army benefits, Pate used his GI Bill and returned back to school to received his Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina State University in 1970, authored several books and has served as the town historian since 1994. He held the position of Spring Lake postmaster from 1951 to 1982 and is now a trustee at the First Presbyterian Church.
Pate has shown that serving one’s country is an honor and a privilege, but staying grounded with your roots maintains the foundation of who we were and who we become.
“Staying connected to the community is absolutely important. We as citizen soldiers not only serve our nation but more importantly we serve our communities,” said Bell. “We can’t exist as the world’s greatest all-volunteer force without their support.”
| Date Taken: | 11.04.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.07.2016 13:54 |
| Story ID: | 214037 |
| Location: | SPRING LAKE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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