The Honor Guard

Meet Cornelius veteran
John Vance Washam, Jr.

by Mike Savicki   |     photography by Glenn Roberson

Sitting in the Cornelius optician’s office he opened in 1978, John Vance Washam, Jr. holds a photo album overflowing with weathered snapshots and old newspaper clippings of hundreds of the Lake Norman-area soldiers and veterans who served in America’s military throughout history. As he slowly flips the pages, Washam shares a story about nearly every soldier, sailor, airman and Marine contained in the keepsake. He speaks their names and describes their personalities. He recalls their faces and describes where many lived. He remembers the days when some left for battle and laments learning that others were not coming home.

Thanks to the efforts of citizens like Washam, 78, a Korean War infantryman who was born and raised in Cornelius, those veterans (living or deceased, who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, received an honorable discharge and lived in Cornelius at some point) will soon have a more public, permanent plaza where their service will be remembered. As the commander of American Legion Post 86, Washam has spent the last year working alongside the Town of Cornelius to select a site plan, gather names and raise funds to help make the Cornelius Veterans Monument a reality.

Will you talk about your optical practice and what it was like growing up in Cornelius?

I am an optician who has been in this building since 1978. When I first opened my office there wasn’t much up here as far as service. There were only two paved streets, Highway 115 and Old Beatties Ford Road, which is Catawba Road now. Sam Furr Road was just a little country road, and we got paid to drive school buses along it.  

What put the wheels in motion for the Cornelius Veterans Monument?

At one time many years ago, the town had a little plaque to remember some of our veterans, but I think it became misplaced when the Town Hall was being built. In 2010, Harold Little [former mayor] met with the town board, and they decided to do something more permanent. They invited four of us to serve on a committee to represent the town. Our main objective was to come up with a design that fit their idea, and the town would start the process by donating the land and some funding.

What about fundraising to cover the additional costs that came with a bigger plan?

This design will cost approximately $165,000, and that is more than what we originally budgeted. The Town of Cornelius donated $50,000, and right now, we are about 75 percent towards reaching our goal. We hope to begin construction on Memorial Day this year and have it ready to dedicate on Veterans Day.

How did you select the final plan?

When it was put out to bid, we received 19 different plans. We chose this plan because it fits in well with the landscape, and we thought it is gives more of a plaza-type effect where we can arrange seating and hold special programs. This is a nicer plan than what we originally had in mind, and it is more costly, but we feel it fits in more with the future, too.

How is American Legion Post 86 involved with the monument?

Cornelius Post 86 was organized in 1919 by World War I veterans. We have been an active post since then and now have 116 members. The World War I veterans are gone, but we still have several World War II vets. There are Korean veterans and some from Vietnam, but I think it is taking the younger veterans more time to join right now. We are an active chapter and hold Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day programs. We periodically have a group from the VA hospital over for a nice dinner. I believe when the monument is built we will be there for veterans and the public. I’m looking forward to seeing it one day.

Why is a monument like this special for a town like Cornelius?

Not too many towns do something like this. The monument will be an asset for the Town of Cornelius. It will be a growing legacy that remembers veterans through history and those who are now fighting the wars on terror. The list of names is now approaching 900, and we have allowed for growth in the future.

As for how it fits into the town, I noticed that since September 11 [2001], schools and children have become more aware of veterans. There have been more patriotic events in schools, and I certainly hope school children will visit the monument and meet Cornelius’ veterans as part of their programs.

Will you share a story from your military service?

Well, the draft was in effect, and I remember boarding a bus for Fort Jackson after we were inducted in Charlotte. When we got to Fort Jackson it was drizzling, and the drill instructor took all of us off the bus and said, “Men, it doesn’t rain in the Army, it rains on the Army.” That was my welcome. Boot camp was one thing, and then I went to a special school for communications. I thought I’d have it made when I got over to Korea, but I wound up in an infantry rifle squad. Infantry wasn’t the best outfit to be in if you know what I mean.

Is it true that your brothers were also in the military? 

There are six of us in the family — three boys and three girls — and we are all from Cornelius. All three boys served. My oldest brother joined the Army in 1948 and was extended a year when Korea started. When he got to Korea, he sent me a letter that suggested I join the Navy or Air Force because things were messy over there, but I didn’t take his advice. When he was on his way home, I was on my way over. I was in the Army for a little over two years and spent 13 months in Korea. When I got home, my youngest brother had joined the Marine Corps.