explorers & ADVENTURES
Service & Honor Organizations support area veterans
BY » Renee Roberson
W
hile there’s a special day designated to honor veterans in our country in November, it’s important to remember they deserve community support and recognition all year long. After all, veterans have fought for our country and the freedoms we so often take for granted. Currently, there are approximately 90,000 military veterans living in the four counties surrounding the Lake Norman area, according to the website lknvetsandpatriots.com. The website is a comprehensive resource that helps connect local veterans, active duty members and military spouses in the LKN community. It can also help enhance the in-person networking of veteran organizations and events. Below are just a few organizations in our area that are dedicated to serving veterans year round that we wanted to spotlight.
Richard’s Coffee Shop and the Welcome Home Veterans Living Military Museum
A downtown Mooresville institution, Richard Warren, a Vietnam War veteran, opened up the shop in 1995. He named it “Pat’s Gourmet Coffee Shop,” in honor of his wife, but it quickly grew to become much more. Warren became accustomed to greeting every veteran who came through the doors with a hearty “Welcome Home.” Warren passed away in 2009, but his legacy of supporting fellow veterans carries on. Following his death, Pat’s Gourmet Coffee Shop temporarily closed down. But with the persistence of a number of regular patrons who missed the camaraderie of the shop, a new location opened just down the street from the original Pat’s in 2009. The non-profit board Welcome Home Veterans, Inc. helped underwrite the cost. Now christened Richard’s Coffee 14 LimitlessMagOnline.com | November 2020
Welcome Home photos courtesy of Cotton Ketchie Soul to Soles photos courtesy of Facebook
Shop, the location also showcases The Welcome Home Veterans Living Military Museum, an impressive collection of donated memorabilia, and visitors can now view a collection of donated items and relics through carefully curated displays. Though closed during the pandemic, the shop is normally a hub for residents and veterans alike, with free coffee offered on Thursdays and bluegrass jam sessions on Saturdays. To learn more, or to learn how you can support Richard and Pat Warren’s commitment to honoring veterans, visit www.welcomevets.com.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 321 in Huntersville
The American Legion Auxiliary is the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization. After the formation of The American Legion, a number of women’s organizations wanted to become the official affiliation of The American Legion. The women who had served so faithfully during the trying days of the war wanted to continue to serve. After careful consideration, the committee agreed that a new organization should be made up of the women most closely associated with the men of the Legion, and that these women would serve with the Legion, in peace as they had in war. In the spirit of Service Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. “For God and country, the ALA advocates for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace, and security.” While there are eligibility requirements to become a member of the ALA, anyone can be a part of the organization’s
service programs and are encouraged to participate. ALA Unit 321 president Julie Hogan says this particular unit works closely with the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center at the Salisbury VA Hospital. They provide multiple donations throughout the year, including the Briefs for the Brave program (collecting underwear for the Salisbury VA), Bingo games for patients, cards during military holidays, and there are twice-a-year meals with other area legion posts and auxiliary units. ALA Unit 321 has joint members in the unit and the Charlotte USO that volunteer in the USO in the Charlotte airport, and they also volunteer at holiday events for families of deployed soldiers at the local armories. For Veteran’s Day, the group will be creating and sending cards to the VA hospital as part of their November service project. To learn more about the organization, visit www. facebook.com/ALAHuntersvilleNC.
Willow Equine
Katie Stankiewicz, Equine Specialist, Certified Leadership Coach and Owner of Willow Equine in Mooresville is passionate about supporting veterans through specialized programs on Willow Equine’s 300-acre farm. Soul to Soles Connection is dedicated to the mental health of military and their families. While being supported by the horses and professional facilitators, participants are offered the time they need to heal and overcome challenges. Their team of specialists offer an Eagala Military Service Program, with specialized training and experience with the military community. The experiential nature of working with horses engages active and retired military in their own healing process, with solutions that meet them squarely on their own terms. Services are offered at no cost to veterans. Learn more at www. willow-equine.com/veterans.
