First Posted: 1/21/2015
ROCKINGHAM — Federal legislators and local veterans are supportive of a plan to convert Rockingham Speedway into a facility to help veterans return to society.
Vets-Help, a nonprofit group based in New York, announced plans Monday to purchase the historic racetrack and create a reintegration complex with a community medical and wellness center, independent and assisted living facilities, transitional housing and programs and an economic development center.
The plan is part of the organization’s Team Patriot program and will also feature PTSD counseling for veterans and their families, affordable housing and a “moral injury” healing center.
By purchasing the speedway, the organization will be able to “launch and be the sanctioning group for disabled racing at our own track,” according to the program overview.
Craig Northacker, executive director, said the complex would bring a variety of jobs in nursing, light industry and vocational training.
“Two of my top priorities are jobs for our community and taking care of our veterans, and I’ve been deeply concerned about the lost economic impact of ‘The Rock’ and what opportunities we have there,” Rep. Richard Hudson, R-Concord, said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
Hudson said he’s not familiar with Vets-Help, “but I welcome the efforts of any community leader who wants to help create jobs and help ensure North Carolina’s veterans can transition back into civilian life from the front lines.”
Sen. Richard Burr said he is “pleased” the community is exploring ways to support veterans.
“I have long supported community-based solutions to help our veterans as they reintegrate,” he said. “With the right blend of planning, support and means, they can provide sustainable, long-term solutions when the government alone is not enough.”
Although Thom Tillis did not respond in time for this story, the freshman senator has shown his support for the well-being of veterans.
The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act — co-sponsored by Tillis — passed the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Wednesday and is on its way to the Senate floor.
According to a statement, the bill “directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct annual evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention programs to gauge their effectiveness and then make any necessary improvements or changes.”
“There is much work left to be done to repay the debt of gratitude we owe the brave men and women who have served our country,” he said, “and this bill is the first of many steps this Congress needs to take to provide America’s veterans with the care and resources they deserve.”
The bill also establishes a pilot program that will “help veterans transition from active duty and improve access to mental health care services,” a mission similar to that of the proposed speedway complex.
Carlton Hawkins, a U.S. Navy veteran and member of America Legion Post 147, said he was “cautiously optimistic” of the proposed complex.
“It will be a good thing if they can pull it off,” he said.
Hawkins served during the Vietnam War from 1965-69 and was in Vietnam as a storekeeper from 1965-66.
Another Vietnam veteran, Richard Lunceford, said he believes in helping veterans in any way possible.
“Veterans have always been looked down on, but it’s not as bad as it used to be,” he said.
Lunceford, who was in the U.S. Army from 1968-74, said he was spit on and called a “baby killer” in Charlotte when he returned from his first tour.
He is a member of the American Legion and the Hamlet Veterans Club and has adopted National Guard troops from both Hamlet and Laurinburg who were deployed to Iraq, sending them mail and packages.
“I know what it’s like to not get mail for a while,” he said.
Curtis Hargrove said he hopes that local veterans will have the opportunity to apply for some of the jobs that are expected to come with the complex.
“That would be an uplift for a lot of the veterans who may be unemployed,” he said.
“All the vets are fighting for the same thing,” he said. “An opportunity for employment when they come home, for whatever reason they’re coming home.
Hargrove, who currently hauls cars from port to dealerships across the Carolinas, served on board the USS Wisconsin during Operation Desert Storm from 1988-94.
He said a job at the proposed facility would be a good transition for him when he’s ready to get off the road and give him an opportunity as a veteran to help younger veterans.
“We understand what they went through and what they’re going through,” he said.
Northacker said he has funding lined up and is planning for a grand opening July 4.
Superior Court Judge David Lee has set a March 15 deadline for sale or auction of the speedway before foreclosure proceedings begun last September would resume.
Reach reporter William R. Toler at 910-817-2675.