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Larry G. Simonds, Jr. • Criminal Litigation • Civil Litigation • Divorce • DUI
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Andrew M. Brandt • Estate Planning • Will Packages • Trust Formation • Probate • LLC, LP, S-Corp Formation
112 Kenwood St., Belmont • 704.829.8034 • strickerlaw.com
Volume 80 • Issue 21
Serving Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Belmont remembers those who sacrificed for freedom By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Belmont held its annual Memorial Day event last Sunday in Greenwood Cemetery and the folks who attended took time to remember the sacrifices so many soldiers, sailors, and airmen had made to protect our freedom. One of the many veterans on hand was 84-year-old Cecil Duckworth who earned the Purple Heart during the Korean Conflict. “I was in Korea from end to end,” Duckworth said. “I like to have died but the Lord saved me.” Another seasoned veteran at the Memorial Day ceremony was Pearl Harbor survivor 90+ year old Gene Reinhardt. These two were joined by a nice-sized group of other veterans and citizens of all ages who heard some rousing remarks and patriotic tunes
under a brilliant blue sky. Belmont mayor Charlie Martin delivered the welcome. “We need to remember people who gave their lives and served our country,” Martin said. “America is still the greatest nation on earth.” Martin’s remarks drew several “amens” from the crowd. Rev Ray Hardee of The Pointe Church was the main speaker. He related an experience he had visiting the National D-Day Memorial in Virginia during the recent remembrance of the June 6, 1944 Normandy Invasion. One of the folks who was honored then was veteran Bob Sales who was the only soldier of the 30 in his landing craft that wasn’t killed storming the beach. See FREEDOM page 2
Vietnam veteran Fred Dixon and Pearl Harbor survivor Gene Reinhardt shared a few thoughts at last Sunday’s Memorial Day event in Belmont’s Greenwood Cemetery. Photo by Alan Hodge
White’s Restaurant going strong after three decades in business By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
CaroMont CEO Doug Luckett was one of the key speakers at last week’s dedication of the Veterans Monument at CaroMont Regional Medical Center. Photo by Alan Hodge
CaroMont dedicates Veterans Monument at Regional Medical Center By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Sunny skies beamed down last Friday on a large crowd of veterans, dignitaries, and other patriots during the dedication of the new Veterans Monument at CaroMont Health Regional Medical Center in Gastonia. Construction of the $300,000 monument began last year and was completed recently. It’s located near the parking deck in a grassy
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plot and features a pyramid-like center piece with plaques representing the seals of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The monument is topped by stainless steel “flames” which are illuminated at night. Several stone benches and a low wall engraved with the story of CaroMont’s recognition of veterans, including being named a “Purple Heart Hospital” complete the scene. See CAROMONT page 4
White’s Restaurant on East Catawba Street is Belmont’s longest-running eatery and probably the town’s most enduring small business and is still turning out hundreds of meals every week just like it has for over 30 years. Owned by Carroll and Mary White, the restaurant was originally called Ostwalt’s Cafe. “Ostwalt operated it 24 hours a day because the nearby mills operated three shifts,” Mary said. “By1973 the cafe was owned by Randy Allen. Carroll had been looking to buy a business. He had worked for A&P and Harris-Teeter and I was an office manager. I was in the cafe eating and learned that Allen was looking to sell the place so Carroll and Mary White are seen outside their restaurant, we bought it.” the oldest continually operating one in Belmont, at 417 Carroll and Mary went to East Catawba St. Photo by Alan Hodge work right away running the There’s a division of labor at Whites. place. They made a good team Mary handles the “front” and Carroll does having known each other since childhood. “We went to church together and dated in the cooking. high school,” Mary said. “We were married in 1960.” See WHITE’S page 2