Members of the Carter County Commission and County Mayor Leon Humphrey honored members of the local Veterans of Foreign War Post for their service to country and community during the Commission’s meeting on Monday.
On behalf of himself and the Commission, Humphrey presented a special plaque to VFW Post 2166 Commander Duane Gilbert at the meeting.
“As Americans we own a tremendous amount of gratitude to our veterans,” Humphrey said. “Freedom comes at an extremely high price.”
In addition to thanking the members of the VFW for their military service, Humphrey also thanked the Post members for their service to their community and particularly their support of local law enforcement and first responders.
“VFW Post 2166 recently put forth a tremendous show of support and appreciation for our first responders,” Humphrey said.
Last month, the Post held a special picnic to show honor and support for law enforcement officers and first responders. The event featured music and food as well as special door prizes for the police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who attended.
“We at VFW Post 2166 are proud of this town and these people,” Gilbert said. “We’re just appalled at what has happened in some places in this country and that some officers feel they are walking around with a target on their backs.”
Gilbert said the Post decided to hold the event to show their support and respect for first responders and was pleased with how the event went.
“We are going to make this an annual event where we take a day to honor our police and first responders,” Gilbert said.