WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

Four veterans, including a 101-year-old World War II veteran, were honored at a ceremony on Nov. 10 at Brown and Douglas Active Adults Center. Over two dozen people attended the event, including family members of the honorees. 

Shannon Allen, community advocate representing District 71 Representative-elect Kanika Brown, thanked the veterans for their service and sacrifice and presented each with a flag pin. Honored were Ben Miller, Roscoe Pouncey Sr. and son, Roscoe Pouncey Jr., and John H. Skinner Jr.

Ben Miller is a Vietnam veteran and volunteers daily with his service dog, Red, at Sedge Garden Elementary School.

Roscoe Pouncey Sr. graduated from Atkins High School and was a member of the 1959 State Championship football team. An Army veteran, he served in the 8th Infantry Artillery in Korea and was the first Black drill sergeant at Fort Bragg. He retired as a captain from the Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD).

Roscoe Pouncey Jr. said that his father’s military service was inspirational to him and he was proud to follow in his footsteps. He is a veteran of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and served in the Panama invasion and Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He also retired from the WSPD.

John H. Skinner Jr. was drafted while a student at Elizabeth City State College (now University) and served in the Army from 1942-1945, receiving a Bronze Service Star Victory Medal. He said, “It didn’t take me long to realize a military career wasn’t my plan” and after service he returned to school. He graduated from Elizabeth City State College and then earned a master’s degree from Columbia University. He was an educator in schools in both North Carolina and Virginia.

After the ceremony, attendees were treated to box lunches provided by Dedicated Senior Care. 

Serema Mumford, center director, was pleased with the turnout to honor these outstanding veterans and to thank each one for their selfless service to our country.