County recognizes ‘Hometown Heroes’ during Commission meeting
Published 7:08 pm Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye Rocky Croy speaks to the Carter County Commission on Monday. The group, along with Mayor Leon Humphrey, honored Croy for more than three decades of service with the Carter County Sheriff's Office. Croy will be retiring from his position at the department in October.
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey and the County Commission honored the Boys and Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County for their service to the community and Club Director Ginny Wright individually for her accomplishments at the Club. Shown here with Humphrey are Wright and Club Board Member David Batchelder.
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye Members of the Carter County Commission and Tennessee State Legislature honored John Rominger, center, for his service to country and community over his long life time.
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey, right, presents a plaque to Peyton Wilson honoring her community service. Wilson, an Elizabethton native and current Miss Carter County, was recognized on stage at the Miss America Pageant earlier this month for placing third in the nation in raising funds for Children's Miracle Network through the Miss America Serves Day.
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey presented members of the Elizabethton/Carter County Hutning and Fishing Association with a plaque honoring them for their work in the community.
Star Photo/Abby Morris-Frye Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey presents a special plaque ot members of the Carter County Car Club honoring them for their service to the community.
Several “hometown heroes” were honored by Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey and the Carter County Commission on Monday for their service to the community.
Humphrey presented special plaques to individuals and groups as a way of expressing the county’s thanks for their contributions.
“These individuals are Carter County’s ‘Hometown Heroes,” Humphrey said.
The first citizen to be recognized was Rocky Croy, a long-time law enforcement officer who has served the community for more than three decades.
“He will be retiring next month after 34 years of exemplary service,” Humphrey said. “His outstanding efforts have made Carter County a better place for us all.”
Croy grew up in the Range community. He graduated from Range Elementary in 1974 and then from Elizabethton High School in 1978.
Before long, he decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, Clyde Croy, and serve his community as a law enforcement officer. He began his career with the Carter County Sheriff’s Office as a dispatcher and served in several capacities in the department. Over the course of his career, he received numerous promotions, including serving as a sergeant, lieutenant, captain, investigator, and chief investigator.
“I’d like to thank God for keeping me safe for these 34 years,” Croy said. “And I’d like to thank my wife and my family for standing by me all these years.”
“It has been an honor to serve Carter County,” he added.
Next, Humphrey called to the podium John Rominger, a 95-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II.
During his service in the war, Rominger helped with efforts to construct the airstrips for the military’s bombing of Japan and was also among the first ever group of U.S. Navy Seals.
“It is fitting and proper for us to recognize him because he served with honor and distinction at a very perilous time,” Humphrey said.
State Rep. John Holsclaw Jr. joined Humphrey in honoring Rominger and presented the veteran with an American flag from the Tennessee House of Representatives.
“We cannot thank you enough for what you have done,” Holsclaw said.
After Rominger accepted the plaque and flag, he spoke briefly to express his thanks.
“I appreciate Carter County and what it’s meant to me all these years,” Rominger said.
Humphrey and the Commission also honored Peyton Wilson, who was recognized on stage during the Miss America Scholarship Pageant earlier this month for placing third in the nation for fundraising efforts as part of Miss America Serves Day.
“Peyton is a fierce competitor when it comes to charities she holds close to her heart,” Humphrey said. “Peyton is an excellent ambassador for Carter County.”
Wilson held the title of Miss Watauga Valley 2017 and on Sept. 3 crowned as the first Miss Carter County in more than 45 years. She will represent her hometown in the 2018 Miss Tennessee Pageant.
“I’m just excited to serve Carter County for another year,” Wilson said.
The next presentation included two honorees — the Boys and Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County for their work serving children in the community and the Club Director Ginny Wright for her individual accomplishments with the Club.
“She is known for having a servant’s heart,” Humphrey said of Wright. “She is an excellent leader in Carter County, and we are truly blessed she decided to call Carter County home.”
In April of this year, Wright was selected as the 2017 Rookie of the Year for new Boys & Girls Club Directors in the country.
“I feel very lucky. I actually get a paycheck for making a difference in the lives of children and families,” Wright said. “How lucky can you be?”
Wright praised the work of the Club’s Board in ensuring the children receive the best possible programs and for supporting the Club’s staff.
“It is very much a team effort what we are doing at the Club,” she said.
Humphrey also presented plaques to two organizations for their efforts in serving the community and its citizens over the years — the Elizabethton/Carter County Hunting and Fishing Association and the Carter County Car Club.
Both organizations provide countless hours of volunteer service to the community as well as working with local charities to meet the needs of others, Humphrey said.
