PCC Foundation Event Honors America’s War Veterans

WINTERVILLE�Pitt Community College held its annual Veterans Salute Monday morning to pay tribute to those who have defended America in times of war for the cause of peace.

Frank Cassiano, a Greenville Attorney and PCC Foundation Board member, was the featured speaker for the event, which was held in the Charles Coburn Center for a third straight year.

A former U.S. Marine, Cassiano credited veterans with preserving the American way of life. During his remarks, he challenged those in attendance to find ways to help the country improve and to eliminate its current economic woes.

As part of Monday�s Veterans Salute, Hal Gordon, a Vietnam War veteran and member of American Legion Post 151 in Farmville, announced the Farmville Area Veterans Memorial Committee will establish an endowed scholarship with the PCC Foundation for veterans wanting to attend Pitt.

�We just want to make sure that the vets coming out of the (current) conflicts and in the future can get an education,� Gordon said, adding that funding for the scholarship will come from an excess of money raised for a veterans memorial in Farmville that was dedicated Nov. 1.

Also during Monday�s event, PCC Foundation Board Chairman Billy Dunn presented the college with one of the first American flags to fly over Camp Fallujah in Iraq.

While the 2006 and 2007 Veterans Salute programs were each dedicated to a specific local veteran, event organizers said this year�s ceremony was devoted to all Americans who have served and continue to serve the country militarily.

The 2008 Veterans Salute was the eleventh organized by the PCC Foundation and featured performances by the school�s new gospel choir (Elements of Praise), an East Carolina University/Pitt County JROTC Color Guard, and the Farmville Central High School JROTC Drill Team. Veteran Willard Jackson played �Taps� during the program.

11/12/2008