COASTAL LIVING
        Sunday, November 1, 1998

     The Carteret County Veterans Council reports that the 1998 Veterans Day parade, which will be held in Morehead City on Saturday, Nov. 7, is going to be larger than the parades conducted in the past.  To date, there are over 1,400 participants and the list of participants continues to grow.   The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at St. Egbert's Catholic Church and winds its way to the entrance of the State Port.

     The Grand Marshall will be Maj. Gen. Thomas Braaten, USMC, the Commanding General of all Marine Corps Air Bases on the East Coast.  U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones, Jr. will be a special guest.  Participating in the event are many elected state, county, and local municipal officials, POWs, and the military commanders of many of our area units.

     Bands will be from the Second Marine Aircraft Wing, Croatan High School, East Carteret High School, West Carteret High School, the East Carteret Junior Marines, and the Band of the Young Marines from Jacksonville.  Angela Baker will sing.

     There will be color guards and military equipment from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, Army Reserve, the North Carolina National Guard and from numerous veterans organizations and their auxiliaries and, in some cases, military equipment and marching units from these organizations.

     Others expected to march are members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors organization, the WWII China Burma India Campaign Veterans Group, WWII Merchant Mariners from Sailors Snug Harbor and numerous sons of the confederate Veterans Groups will be represented.

     Also participating will be the Havelock High School ROTC Color Guard and their armed and unarmed drill teams, Young Marines of Cherry Point, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts,  Brownies, and Cub Scouts from both Carteret and Craven counties, and the Boys and Girls Club of Carteret County and the Newport 4-H Club.

     It wouldn't be a parade without Shriner Participation.  The Beaufort Shriner Club "Mariners" will perform as will the Craven County Shriner Pedal Pusher Group.  The Crystal Coast Shriners will also honor the veterans with their presence. 

     The local antique military vehicle club and antique car club will also have many of priceless vehicles riding in the parade.

     The list of participants goes on and on.

     It is not too late to participate or to help in the event.   All are welcome.  If interested, please contact either Tex Cavett or Al Bates [c/o Veterans Services number follows] or contact Veteran Services at (252) 728-8440 or by e-mail at ccvso@coastalnet.com.

VA HEALTH CARE ENROLLMENT

     The Carteret County Veterans Council will conduct a fourth in-county VA Health Care enrollment.  The tentative date of this event is Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City.   In anticipation of this enrollment opportunity, if any veteran desires a health care enrollment package or would like to be notified of the particulars of the event, please contact the Veterans Services Office at (252) 728-8440.

     At this enrollment, veterans will be afforded the opportunity to get a free flu shot and also have their blood pressure checked.

FOR THE NEW VA HEALTH CARE ENROLLEE

     If you would like assistance in getting established in the VA Health Care System for treatment, and/or medications, a good resource for assisting a veteran is the Carteret County Veterans Services Office at (252) 728-8440 or e-mail ccvso@coastalnet.com.

SELLING YOUR GI HOME?

     If you are selling or have sold a home financed through a VA guaranty, it is smart to obtain a release of liability if appropriate and/or to put the wheels in motion to have guaranty entitlement restored.  There is not a lot to the process of applying for a release of liability or restoration of the guaranty entitlement, but there is a processing time at the VA Regional Office.  Contact Veterans Service Office for assistance at 728-8440 or e-mail ccvso@coastalnet.com.

     REPLACING MILITARY RECORDS