When Korean War veteran Pete Meletis learned U.S. military veterans living under bridges in Statesville and Mooresville with no food and no hope, he was so appalled that he resolved to rectify the situation.
Meletis’s vision became a reality with the help of many non-profit and government agencies, including the Governor’s Crime Commission. On Flag Day, June 14, an open house was held for a new transitional home for eight to 10 veterans.
Now, homeless veterans who want to work and support themselves may qualify for a room in the newly refurbished home on Wilson-Lee Boulevard in Statesville.
The Bowers family donated the home to the Statesville Housing Authority, which in turn donated it to the Iredell-Statesville Community Enrichment Corporation. The home was dilapidated, on the verge of being condemned.
Pamela Navey, Statesville Police Department’s Community Resource coordinator, said she could see through the walls before the new sheetrock was installed. The original pine floors were buffed in the foyer and new carpet laid in the bedrooms. Navey noticed that the neighbors were sprucing up their homes and yards when they saw the work being done at the veterans’ home.
The Statesville Veterans Transitional Home is said to be one of a kind because of the joint efforts of elected officials, businesses, education leaders, non-profits and citizens. Community members donated $5 to $25,000 – the latter a donation from veteran Paul Haughton and his wife, Wanda. Community donations totaled $86,248.
Other agencies who took roles in bringing the house to fruition included, Piedmont Veterans Council, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Mooresville Soup Kitchen, two churches, an exchange club, the Statesville Police Department and Diakonos, a non-profit that provides basic necessities for those in situations of extreme need, especially the homeless. Several speakers said, “It takes a village.”
“Few towns can match the generosity and sense of service as Statesville has done,” said Doug Hendrix, chairperson of Diakonos.
J.R. Gorham, director of special projects for the Department of Public Safety, was the keynote speaker at the open house ceremony, and he thanked the community and leaders for what they were doing for veterans. He noted that Gov. Pat McCrory and Department of Public Safety Secretary Frank Perry are strong advocates for the military and veterans, and that the governor is working to make North Carolina the most military friendly state in the country.
“Our veterans deserve this because, regardless of the situation they may find themselves in, at some point in their lives, they made a decision to join the military, to serve this country anytime, anyplace and in any capacity deemed necessary,” Gorham said. “They didn’t do it because they hated or feared the enemy before them; they did it because they loved the ones like you and me who stood behind them.”
Gorham pointed out that Gov. McCrory has worked for military members and veterans by establishing in-state tuition for veterans, providing driver’s licenses for veterans, opening new veteran treatment courts and establishing a new Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
“Last year, we kicked off the North Carolina for Military Employment initiative at Camp Lejeune to help connect military members and veterans with jobs,” Gorham said. “Military hiring events were held throughout North Carolina and produced more than 600 job offers.”
Correctional Officer training programs were held at Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune for members transitioning out of the military. The Department of Public Safety offers basic correctional officer training (160 hours) for active servicemen and women prior to release from active duty.
The Department of Public Safety has more than 3100 employees with veteran status, and more than 500 of them are new hires as of November 2014.
In Statesville, the Governor’s Crime Commission is providing funds for services that veterans may use, such as mental health or substance abuse treatment.
Navey said that the veteran’s transitional home would never have become a reality without the original GCC grants the community received for treatment services. The small number of people working on grant projects grew, and they learned how to make projects like the veterans home crystallize.
Meletis, a double purple-heart recipient, said repeatedly during the process, “Failure is never an option.” He reminded the gathering that the military motto is, “No soldier left behind.” He said the home is a gift from God.
Statesville Chief of Police Joe Barone thanked the veterans for making this the land of the free and home of the brave.
###