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Shelby celebrates Veterans Day with parade, ceremony

Star - 11/12/2021

Nov. 12—When Pam Scruggs watches the Crest High School Marching Band perform, she gets emotional knowing the sweet tunes that fill the air are a culmination of her daughter's hard work.

Bonnie Scruggs, band director for Crest, has been at the helm for five years.

As the band prepared to perform in the Veterans Day parade Thursday morning, she was on hand to assist the band students.

The melodies they play keep her coming back too.

"I enjoy doing this," said Pam Scruggs.

The parade was filled with classic cars and joyful veterans waving to a jubilant crowd in an event that saw around 40 participants. Those are the kind of things Bonnie Scruggs wants her students to be part of. She said it is important they understand the significance of the military and those who sacrificed their lives.

"We do anything the veterans do," said Bonnie Scruggs. "We are very supportive of that at Crest. I think it's good the kids see this. This is the closest it gets to having this kind of experience. They haven't seen the military in action as much. I think it's a great opportunity for my kids."

It was a sentimental day for Tim Elmore, who marched in the parade with his granddaughter, Kaya Roseboro. Elmore said her school was taught the importance of the holiday throughout week. That history lesson made Elmore eager to share the day with Roseboro, knowing she had a better understanding of why the day is so meaningful.

"My granddaughter is in first grade, and her class was focusing on the Veterans Day parade," said Elmore. "Her grandmother is a veteran too. She did eight years. Now that Kaya is old enough to realize the meaning of the day, that was inviting for me.

He recalled the days when he had to leave his child with another family member while he and his wife served overseas. Elmore completed two separate tours in Germany and said he hopes civilians have a greater appreciation for the sacrifice veterans have made.

After spending 11 years in the Army, he spent another 16 years in law enforcement in Cleveland County.

"We don't have a choice," said Elmore. "When it is our time, we have to go. Veterans make a lot of unrecognized sacrifices."

Lieutenant Colonel David Mansberger was on hand to deliver the message at the Earl Scruggs Center where veterans were honored after the parade. He spoke highly of the men and women who have dedicated themselves to a life of service and believes the country would not be the same without them.

"We wouldn't have a country without veterans," said Mansberger. "They fought, in fact, in Kings Mountain. It is important to honor those people that have sacrificed so much and for the goals of our nation. I think patriots and veterans are some of your best citizens. They continue to serve when they are out of uniform too."

Mansberger served for nearly four decades, having spent six years in the Navy and 30 in the Air Force. While he misses shining his shoes and dawning one of the most recognizable uniforms, he takes great pleasure in the days of old. Mansberger remembers when devoted and passionate Americans were proud to wear the red, white and blue and said Veteran's Day is a reminder of how far we have come as a nation.

"I miss being part of serving our country," said Mansberger. "I love the uniform, helping people and having a purpose. As a chaplain in active duty Air Force, that was a gift to be able to do that. When I was a radioman in the Navy, I took ownership of my faith as a Christian. Patriotism was strong at that time, and it was amazingly wonderful to see how the country was healing and growing in a positive way."

Latrice Williams can be reached at 704-669-3339 and lwilliams6@gannett.com.

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