By CharLy Markwart
Princeton Times
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PRINCETON — It was a victorious occasion for all Princeton-area veterans Thursday, when an American flag was proudly raised outside the BB&T bank on Stafford Drive.
But, no veteran present for the long-awaited flag-raising ceremony could have been prouder than World War II vet Vernon Hubbard, the man behind the five-year effort to see a flag flown at the popular banking facility.
“I transferred to this location five years ago, and Vernon Hubbard has been expressing his desire for us to have a flag ever since the day I met him back then,” said Princeton BB&T Financial Center Leader and Vice President Susan Bradley. “So, because of him, even though we don't typically install flags at our banks, we did, and I think it's awesome. My family is full of veterans, and I was behind this effort the whole way. I just think it's a great thing.”
Hubbard had the honor of raising the BB&T flag for the first time Aug. 26, to the hearty applause of an audience thick with veterans and other local supporters. As the veterans on hand gathered to pose for a picture around the flag, an impromptu singing of “The Star Spangled Banner” broke out amongst the crowd, an appropriate underscore to the patriotic feeling surging through the tight-knit circle of people.
“It's a great honor to see this happen, because Vernon's been working on this a long time,” said Jimmy Compton, who began helping Hubbard with the effort when he heard about the project in the barbershop. “I joined with him right away, because, as a veteran myself, I thought it was a great cause. We talked to the civic leaders and judges and other officials and Vernon finally got it done. It was something that needed to happen.”
That has been Hubbard's sentiment all along.
“I think a flag should be flying at every place of business, to show respect for our veterans,” he said. “I have a big American flag flying in my front yard.”
In speaking to the audience on behalf of his father, Hubbard's son thanked those who helped make the flag dream a reality, including BB&T, Compton Construction, who is providing a concrete base for the flag, and Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Inc., who contributed part of the dedication plaque that will stand next to the flag. The plaque will read, “This flag is dedicated to all American veterans who valiantly defended our freedom.”
With his efforts finally successful, the senior Hubbard was clearly content as he raised the flag that will fly for future generations to see, right in the heart of Princeton's business district. And, he says, there is a simple reason behind that hard-fought victory.
“I'm a World War II veteran, and I don't give up,” he said.
