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After more than 90 years sitting in a desk drawer collecting dust, a medal for a World War I soldier from North Carolina is finally where it belongs, thanks in part to the people at TharpeRobbins. The medal was presented to the daughter of veteran Robert Haywood Butler on Veteran’s Day during a ceremony in the town square in Lillington, N.C.
“I’ve been returning war medals to their rightful owners for about 10 years now and this is the first time I’ve come across this type of medal. In 1917, the state of North Carolina created a limited amount of medals to honor its World War I veterans. When I found the unique medal, I was excited to see it, but it was in pretty bad shape,” says John Elskamp, a volunteer with North Carolina Congressman Bob Etheridge, who spends much of his free time reuniting veterans with their medals. “The medal said ‘Manufactured by The Robbins Company’ on the back. I did some digging and was glad to discover the company is still in business.”
Elskamp contacted TharpeRobbins and the company readily agreed to refurbish the medal free of charge. TharpeRobbins is a global leader in the managed employee recognition and rewards industry. The company’s Attleboro, Mass. operations have included jewelry manufacturing since 1892.
During the ceremony, the North Carolina World War I medal, and several others, including a Purple Heart, were presented to 86-year-old Mary Evelyn Stephenson, the daughter of veteran Robert Haywood Butler, who served in the North Carolina 30th Infantry Division, 119th Regiment during World War I.
“We consider it a privilege to be able to play a small part in honoring this veteran for his sacrifice for our country,” says Brett Tharpe, TharpeRobbins’ president and chief executive officer. “When you look at the medal today, you’d never guess it was more than 90 years old. We were able to restore it to almost mint condition.”
The North Carolina Adjutant General officially presented the medals to Stephenson during the Veterans Day ceremony.
The family of a World War II veteran who participated in the Battle of the Bulge also received additional medals found by Elskamp during the ceremony.
The privately held TharpeRobbins (tharperobbins.com) was created through the February 2007 merger of The Robbins Company, founded in 1892, and The Tharpe Company Inc., founded in 1981. Customized programs include products ranging from personalized jewelry to fine art, electronics, sports equipment and outdoor merchandise. The company also offers rewards through local and national services, entertainment and recreation.
The company headquarters are located on a 25-acre campus in Statesville, N.C. and include an extensive showroom and state-of-the-art distribution facility. The Attleboro, Mass., operations include creative services, software development and jewelry manufacturing. The company is ISO certified.
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