The country recently celebrated Veterans Day where men and women across the country honored those who served our country and those who continue to serve today. Waltonwood Cary Parkway, a premier senior living community, hosted a Veterans Day luncheon at the community (750 SE Cary Parkway). The community recognized veterans from all branches of the military, and a veteran from each level of living at the community received a special award for their service. Cadets from Cary High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers (NJROTC) assisted associates at the senior living community by distributing pins to the veterans and passing out awards. The special event gave the community and cadets the opportunity to honor those who have sacrificed for our freedom.

Nadine Whitmore is one of the veterans the community recognized. She became an Army nurse in 1948, but when the Army and Air Force became separate services, she then went into the Air Force and attended flight school, which is where she got her wings. Whitmore says she joined the military because of her two brothers. One was in the Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the other was in the Navy. Whitmore says it is a privilege to have served in the military and is thankful to the senior living community for recognizing her service.

“I enjoyed the lunch at the senior living community in honor of Veterans Day,” said Whitmore. “There are dozens of veterans who call Waltonwood Cary Parkway home and being in the same room as them for the special day was truly an honor. Veterans Day is an opportunity to look back on our careers and what we accomplished while serving. We all have stories to tell, and I was thrilled to hear from the other veterans. It was great having the cadets there since they were able to learn from each of us and can take that knowledge with them if they choose a military career. It was a wonderful afternoon that I enjoyed.”

“It’s important to honor our nation’s heroes each day, but especially on Veterans Day,” said Richard Mabe, executive director at Waltonwood Cary Parkway. “We had a fantastic lunch prepared for our veterans and invited guests, and we heard from guest speakers during the luncheon. We wanted to show our appreciation and let the veterans know their sacrifice doesn’t go unnoticed. The pins were a beautiful tribute we hope the veterans enjoyed. We have veterans from different wars who live in the community, and we wouldn’t have our freedoms without them. The cadets added a lot to this wonderful event. It’s important for the younger generations to understand what our veterans have done, and what better way than listening to their stories and talking to them firsthand. It was a special day, and we were honored to host it.”