A soldier's memory

A table was set up at the Orange Senior Center in Hillsborough to honor a soldier killed in Iraq. DTH/Jessey Dearing

A fellow soldier broke into tears after commemorating the loss of a local fighter and the anniversary of his death.

For the county’s first Veterans Day Appreciation Celebration, Lois Harvin-Ravin joined Staff Sergeant Misael Martinez’ mother on Wednesday at the front of the room and comforted the community Harvin-Ravin has both cultivated and honored.

For 11 years, she has connected with veterans as she’s worked to connect them with services.

As the county’s only Veteran Services Officer, Harvin-Ravin, a Vietnam War veteran, is in charge of addressing all 8,000 county veterans’ financial and medical needs.

“More veterans are asking for my help as a result of job losses and an increase in daily expenses,” Harvin-Ravin said.

Harvin-Ravin coordinated Wednesday’s event, held at Hillsborough’s Central Orange Senior Center in collaboration with the Orange County Department on Aging, which drew about 200 community members.

“This event is most special to me because I have the chance to say to fellow veterans, ‘Welcome home,’” she said.

Martinez’ mother was presented with a plaque honoring her son, who was killed in action in Iraq on Veterans Day in 2006.

“I will remember Misael’s smile the most,” Rosalie Martinez said. “Though I realize he is not with me anymore, I remember him each day. It is nice for him to be recognized.”

Harvin-Ravin said her office mainly helps veterans apply for financial pension, health care and scholarships. She said the county’s veterans receive more than $20 million from the federal government in pension.

Barry Jacobs, an Orange County commissioner, said the county is responsible for providing Harvin-Ravin her title and salary. Though she is defined as a county employee, state and federal governments are in control of her project and pension funding.

“This smaller army of volunteers provides critical support to veterans,” Jacobs said.

“The homelessness evident in our county is often affected by the influx of soldiers who served in Vietnam and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

In his final remarks, county manager Frank Clifton praised Harvin-Ravin’s efforts.

“What Lois does is important to us and important to you,” Clifton said.

With the encouragement of community members, Harvin-Ravin said she is confident she can meet the needs of her larger audience.

“Everyone is experiencing change. I just have to recognize and react to this new climate,” she said. “I am a soldier. I make it happen.”

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.