The North Carolina State Veterans Home in Kingston celebrates a decade of service

KINSTON, NC (WITN) – It was a packed house in Kinston Monday afternoon as people gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the city’s North Carolina State Veterans Home.

Longtime employees like Latasha Brown say, “We love our veterans in eastern North Carolina because veterans are our country’s most deserved citizens,” she said.

The facility has been serving veterans in the East since 2013. Many would say the longevity is due to loyal staff members like Cahinell Bright, Linda Cole and Brown.

All three women have worked for the nursing home since day one, which is why they were honored along with seven others at the ceremony.

Despite a decade of success, Cole says the pandemic has been by far the toughest time the nursing home has ever seen.

“We had a tough time with COVID, but we all worked together as a team,” Cole said. “Veterans worked with us and we survived.

Only one veteran has died from COVID, according to the facility, and Bright believes it’s because of the team-oriented staff he has.

“We all step in when we need to,” Bright said. “We are doing everything we need to do to take care of the veterans. We love what we do here.

A special room has been dedicated to longtime state representative George Graham for his contributions to the retirement home.

Graham’s advocacy gave veterans like James “Buttercup” Arnold a safe place to stay.

The 97-year-old World War II veteran has only lived at the care home for a few months but says the love there is special.

“Everyone treats me well,” Arnold said. “Oh yeah, it’s good here.”

The retirement home says it looks forward to another 10 years of service.

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