Two banquets held Saturday, March 24, offered different yet important messages.

The annual NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet had Kenbridge native and Chairman of the Falls Church City School Board Lawrence Webb address the importance of being involved.

“We all have opportunities to be educated, to learn, to know what’s going on in the government,” Webb said during the banquet. “Because if we don’t know, they will run anything past you … You are going to the be the first persons who are affected by it. You have to be active and involved. Voting is great, but getting involved, learning issues, holding candidates and then those elected folks accountable, because they need you more than you need them in some cases.”

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9954 celebrated its 69th year, being chartered in 1949. During the banquet, the VFW leaders distributed awards to community members and noted the post’s achievements.

The banquet also included the second place winner of the banquet, Fatima Lara Juarez, who read her essay during the event. “Let us not forget all of the brave men and women who have served and are serving for our great nation,” Juarez said, who fought back tears describing her family’s immigration to the U.S. from Mexico, and the work of General George S. Patton, a World War I and World War II hero. “My fellow American citizens, let us come together strongly as one to overcome all of the hatred and selfish acts of others. If we all work together and strive for more, anything is possible.”

There were two banquets from two organizations. One organization has been an integral resource for those who have served in the U.S. and overseas to protect their fellow citizens, one organization has been and continues to be a driving force for civil rights and ensuring the freedoms of all Americans. Both deserve our commendation and support for the work they do within the county.

Emily Hollingsworth is a staff writer for The Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch and Farmville Newsmedia LLC. Her email address is Emily.Hollingsworth@ KVDispatch.com.