USA Patriotism! ... "Showcasing Pride of America"USA Store! ... American / Patriotic themed gift products at USA Patriotism!

Home - Articles - Heroes - Photos - Poems - Stories - Students - Music - Videos
Quotes - Speeches - References - Great Patriots - Honor Halls - Stars for Troops
USA's Birth - New Content
- About - Contact - Press
- CureNow - Donate
- Privacy

Click To Google Search USA Patriotism!
USA Patriotism! YouTube ChannelJoin / Like the USA Patriotism! Facebook pagePinterestLinkedInUSA Patriotism! Instagram ChannelUSA Patriotism! On TwitterUSA Patriotism! at Flickr

Patriotic Article
Military

Collectibles, apparel, and other gifts ... for Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and veterans! Checks with USA, military, and other patriotic designs Free Gifts from The Bradford Exchange Online

18 Years Of Honoring In Charlotte
by NCNG / USAF Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen - November 21, 2012

American Flag Polo Shirt with Declaration of Independence
American Flag Shirt

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (11/12/2012) - On the corner of Trade and Tryon, the heart of Uptown Charlotte, N.C., several dozen white chairs are set up every year on the Friday before Veterans Day.

Lt. Col. Quicy Collins (right) moves a wreath into view during the annual Carolinas Freedom Foundation Veterans Day Wreath Laying Ceremony in uptown Charlotte. NCNG photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen
Lt. Col. Quicy Collins (right) moves a wreath into view during the annual Carolinas Freedom Foundation Veterans Day Wreath Laying Ceremony in uptown Charlotte. NCNG / Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen

A Charlotte Fire Department Honor Guard stands at attention in front of the Bank of America Tower during the annual Carolinas Freedom Foundation Veterans Day Wreath Laying Ceremony in uptown Charlotte. NCNG photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen
A Charlotte Fire Department Honor Guard stands at attention in front of the Bank of America Tower during the annual Carolinas Freedom Foundation Veterans Day Wreath Laying Ceremony in uptown Charlotte. NCNG photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen

 

It's been like this for 18 years. An open invitation for average bankers, lawyers, brokers, service staff, bus drivers, firefighters, librarians, who walk past this event each year, in the busy heart of the biggest city of North Carolina. It's an invitation to sit and watch a 10-minute wreath laying ceremony in honor of veterans everywhere, and those who aren't with us anymore. There are always chairs open.

The busy time of high noon in a big city scatters workers like ants to restaurants, meetings, (more) coffee, and even possibly an early tee time, but not to fill more than a few seats. Some stop and listen to the emotional heart piercing words spoken by Lt Col. Quincy Collins, a retired Air Force officer who spent more than seven years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict, but others keep walking by.

Freedom. Patriotism. Honor. Glory. Words that are so easy to remember, but so lengthy in definition, and so common that they are assumed. In 1995, Lt. Col. Collins helped organize and create the Carolinas Freedom Foundation, a way to educate young people the importance of citizenship, while continuing to honor those who serve both in the military and other fields of community service. Collins created his organization because of concerns that there wasn't enough patriotism in the community.

Toward the end of the service, Collins moved the wreath to center stage. He backed up and saluted it. For just a few seconds, people from all directions stopped in their tracks. They stopped talking on their cell phones. Immediate destinations were paused. For just a few minutes, he reminded all of us, what it is to honor.

By NCNG / USAF Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen
Provided through DVIDS
Copyright 2012

Comment on this article

USA Gifts Store! ... over 1,000 American / Patriotic themed products at USA Patriotism! USA / Americana theme ... polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts, hats, caps, swimwear, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, jackets, under garments, and other apparel items American Pride: Poems Honoring America and Her Patriots! by David G. Bancroft