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| Members of VFW Calabash Post 7288 Salute Flag during Veterans Day Ceremony. |
On Tuesday, November 11, 2025 Members of the VFW Calabash Post 7288 and Auxiliary hosted the Annual Veterans day Ceremony at the post at 11 AM.
See all photos of this event in the Google Photo Album HERE
The following article was published in the Brunswick Beacon.
VFW Calabash Post 7288 hosts large turnout for Veterans Day Ceremony
by Frederick Walton. (Photos by Frederick Walton Photography.)
Chilly weather did not deter a large crowd from gathering on a bright, sunny weekday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7288 in Calabash to honor the veterans on this important holiday. Members of the VFW Calabash Post 7288 and Auxiliary commemorated Veterans Day with a ceremony at the post featuring several speakers and a special remembrance of POW/MIAs.
VFW Calabash Post 7288 Commander Wayne Grigsby, U.S. Army, Retired stepped to the podium at exactly 11 o’clock, the traditional hour reserved for Veterans Day commemorations: the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Originally known as Armistice Day this day and time were chosen to commemorate the end of World War I. It wasn’t until 1954 that the name was formally changed to Veterans Day to honor all veterans who have served our nation.
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| VFW Calabash Post 7288 Commander Wayne Grigsby, U.S. Army, Retired and Members of the VFW Calabash Post 7288 Salute the Flag. |
After an opening prayer and the pledge of allegiance, Grigsby welcomed members and guests delivering a few words to commemorate the day. Speaking as a veteran, to the gathered veterans, he reminded them that “less than one percent of our country is in uniform. I’m very grateful to you for serving your country and putting yourselves in harms way.” he said. “to you and those we lost…Thank you, very much”.
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| VFW Calabash post 7288.Wayne Grigsby addresses a large Veterans Day audience |
Introducing the keynote speaker, his good friend, Lt. Colonel Joel Eberly, U. S. Army, retired, Grigsby launched into a long litany of the speaker's impressive military, educational and professional accomplishments and his volunteer activities. “He’s an author, bible study teacher and mentor to many people in Calabash including myself” Grigsby said. “From 1988, when he enlisted in the Army as a private, through 2003, when he was promoted to Captain, rising through the ranks, he learned, firsthand, what soldiers do, both in the active duty army and the National Guard.” Grigsby then read through Eberly’s many duty stations including volunteer deployments to Kuwait and Afghanistan for combat operations.
“It’s not how you start, but how you finish, so let me tell you about some of the “hobbies” he’s working on in Calabash, North Carolina.” said Grigsby launching into yet another list of Eberly’s current volunteer activities as a bible study organizer, homeless Veterans service advocate and leader of outdoor programs for kids in the community, among other things. “I’m embarrassing him, and I’m doing it on purpose” chided a smiling Grigsby to his highly accomplished friend. Standing up, a little red faced, Colonel Eberly approached the podium saying, “alright, enough, enough” to the laughter and applause of the appreciative audience.
“Veterans, thank you for your service. God bless you all! It is a great day and an honor to be here” he began. “Most of us were gone a lot, and sometimes we brought our work home. We were stressed out at times. I just want to say God bless the spouses and dependents that supported us.” The crowd applauded, recognizing these often overlooked “Veterans” who may not have worn a uniform, but often served in distant posts making their own sacrifices to serve our country.
“Speaking of civilians that support us, we have a great Auxiliary here at the VFW Calabash Post 7288. I’ve been to a lot of VFW posts around the country, and they are not nearly as lively as this one is. Community fund raisers, helping Vets behind the scenes, which a lot of civilians in the area aren’t aware of. And perhaps many members here may not be aware of all the great things you are doing to support them.” Nodding to Auxiliary President, Cathy Milstead, he acknowledged the great programs they have underway and encouraged them to continue their important work. Warming up to his theme he said ”Just a reminder, If you are not volunteering here or somewhere else in the community…step up, if you can. I know a guy in his 80’s, who recently got his CDL license in South Carolina and drives a school bus for kids to go to church for bible studies, so you’re never to old to help out.”
Addressing the crowd in earnest he postulated, “Hard times create hard men…how many of you have heard this before?” The crowd rumbled in recognition as he continued. "What comes next? Hard men create easy times. Easy times create soft men and soft men create hard times. It’s cyclical.“ quipped Eberly, relating this to his theme of volunteerism. He discussed many examples of the dangers of complacency, the needs in our community and the volunteers that help. He reminded us that there are lots of programs to help those experiencing hard times, whether for veterans or civilians. Those programs need volunteers to serve those in need. That takes hard men and woman who have the fortitude to not take the easy way out, but who stand up to the challenges facing our veterans and community members and are willing to make a difference. "Can you be one of those people?” he asked.
In closing he thanked the veterans for their service and reminded them that by encouraging young people and setting the example, they paved the way for the younger generations that are serving now. “You can not love what you don’t know, so it is up to us to continue to teach the young people about history and to love their country.” He also thanked the Auxiliary and other civilian supporters. “We could not do what we do without you, the wind in our sails!”
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| Lt. Colonel Joel Eberly, US Army (retired) talks about the importance of Volunteering |
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| VFW Calabash Post 7288 Auxiliary President Cathy Milstead spoke about POW/MIA statistics |
VFW Calabash Post 7288 Auxiliary President Cathy Milstead welcomed and thanked people for coming to honor the vets. “Today we are also remembering the POWs and MIAs”, She said. “Imagine being a family member, wondering where their loved one is? Not being able to have closure or put them to rest.” The statistics are startling. There are over 81,000 of our fellow Americans who are listed as missing or unaccounted for. This is a time to not only remember their sacrifice, but also the sacrifice of those families. She invited the audience to seek out former POWs and other veterans and ask them to share their stories about WWll, Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East to educate the children and grandchildren. “It starts with our youth, let us continue to tell the stories that, without the sacrifice of our American servicemen and women, there would not be a United States of America”. Sadly, we often take for granted the devotion to service that our service members sacrifice their lives for. “Let us remember those that put country before self and did not return home to their families”.
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| Symbolic Floral tributes to POW/MIAs with the “Empty Chair “ dining table in the distance. |
Members of the Post and Auxiliary joined together is a solemn ceremony remembering the missing. who may never return, and the solitude of POWs. Auxiliary member Nancey Earney read stanzas of the Pledge of Allegiance, while Vietnam Veteran Jay Bertha reflected on what that stanza actually meant to a prisoner of war who had pledged his allegiance to the United States and now, as a prisoner of war, must actually live up to those memorable words. This moving tribute left the room in a hush as they reflected on the fate of POWs and MIAs. VFW and Auxiliary members concluded with a presentation of tributes, explaining the symbolic meaning behind the Red, White and Blue flowers, an evergreen branch and a laurel wreath placed in memory of POWs/MIAs who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
VFW Auxiliary Senior Vice President, Cathy Milstead read a program that explains the symbolism of the POW/MIA “Empty Chair” . If you have ever visited a VFW hall or military base you’ve probably seen one table, immaculately set up, with a white table cloth, a single red rose, shining silverware and a gleaming plate, with a solitary empty chair. a remembrance of fallen and missing comrades in arms.
The day's program concluded with a closing prayer by Auxiliary Chaplain Julia Larsen who then introduced past North Carolina State Commander Anne Cummings and her husband Bill, who led the group in a rousing sing along of God Bless America.
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| Past North Carolina State Commander Anne Cummings and her husband Bill led a rousing sing along of God Bless America. |
Hot Dogs and Cake were served by the Auxiliary as visitors mingled with the veterans to share a meal and their thanks. Outside, the chilly weather was warming up into a bright, cheery day, almost as if the fallen veterans looked down on us with a warm smile to thank us for remembering them.
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| Veterans and guests wave Flags while singing “God Bless America” at the VFW Calabash Post 7288 Veterans day ceremony. |
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| Hot Dogs and Cake were served by the Auxiliary |
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| Hot Dogs and Cake were served by the Auxiliary |
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