Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS
Robert Tallent of Western Lincoln County receives the 2008 Veteran of the Year
Award during the Veterans Day ceremony held on the Court Square in Lincolnton

BIGGEST CROWD EVER AT
VETERANS DAY PARADE, CEREMONY
Robert Tallent named Veteran of the Year

LINCOLNTON -- Organizers of the annual Veterans Day parade and ceremony that was held Tuesday morning in downtown Lincolnton said this year's crowd was the largest ever.

And a veteran of the Vietnam War became the 2008 Veteran of the Year.

Besides serving as a marine in Vietnam, Lincoln native Robert Tallent is one of the founders of the Howards Creek Vietnam Veteran's Center, having served as treasurer since its inception in 1983.

After returning to Lincoln County in 1968, Tallent worked for the United States Postal Service. He is a retired postal worker.

Tallent told the crowd gathered on the west side of the Court Square for the Veterans Day Ceremony to volunteer their time to any and all causes.

"Find an organization you'll like and volunteer," said Tallent. "You'll like it."

Tallent is also the founder of the Marine Corps League Jeb F. Seagle Detachment.

Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS
The Lincolnton High School marching band marched and played during the parade.

While watching the parade and ceremony, Lincolnton resident Susan Hullette couldn't help but wipe a tear away and look at a picture of her son, Benjamin.

Benjamin Hullette is currently in training with the Air Force. When he graduates from the Air Force Academy next Wednesday, he'll come home for a couple of weeks before returning to his first duty station, which is in Charleston, SC.

"He's been gone for three months," said Hullette. "It's the longest he's ever been gone from home."

Hullette said she's proud of her son for making the choice of military service over going to college.

"It's a proud feeling celebrating the men who fought and died for this country," said Hullette. "It shows a sense of pride in this country."

Lincolnton native Earl Peeler is one of the many veterans that attended the ceremony Tuesday.

Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS
Several cub scout troops participated in the parade Tuesday.

Peeler served in the Korea War as a medic and never left the United States, despite wanting to go over to Korea and Germany.

"For some reason, they told me no," said Peeler. "Maybe the good Lord was watching over me."

Peeler said Veterans Day to him means one word: freedom.

"If it wasn't for veterans, we wouldn't have any freedom," said Peeler.

Special guest speaker for the Veterans Day ceremony was the Hickory Veteran's Administration clinic director Dr. Jeffrey Cook.

Cook spoke on the controversy regarding the recent changes to the Salisbury Veteran's Administration clinic, where that clinic will no longer provide some services to Veterans.

Instead, according to Cook, veterans will be redirected to clinics in Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Hickory, clinics which are closer to where a large contingent of veterans live.

"In Hickory, for example, we have a 10,000-square-foot clinic on Fairgrove Church Road that currently serves 5,600 veterans living in the Hickory metro," said Cook. "Within two years, the clinic will expand to serve up to 10,000 area vets."

Cook said the VA is also partnering with local hospitals and medical practices to serve the growing number of veterans.

"People are upset about the changes in Salisbury at first," said Cook. "Then they realize care is moving closer to them."

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