CityView Reporter Evey Weisblat was honored Wednesday with a N.C. Veterans Council “Most Valuable Patriot” award in recognition of her series of stories on the closing of the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Fayetteville.
Jay Wood, commander of the N.C. Veterans Council, cited Weisblat’s examination of the Veterans Home’s closure in assisting the NCVC in putting a spotlight on the plight of the 85 veterans who were displaced from their home.
“Through her personal interviews, Ms. Weisblat’s articles provided a voice for many who otherwise would not have had one; her investigative journalism highlighted facts and historical perspectives that many were unaware of,” Wood said. “As Commander of our NCVC, I shared her articles along with a cache of other evidence to our elected N.C. Representatives and N.C. Senators, educating many of them on a topic they had not previously been fully versed or advised.”
Her stories, Wood said, “provided public awareness to not only the positive spins, but also to the many real negative impacts and perceived disrespectful actions towards our affected veterans and their families, helping ensure the responsible government agencies were held accountable … and most importantly … the affected veterans and families were afforded the proper considerations and care they deserve.”
Displaced and aging veterans who called the Fayetteville facility home were given weeks to find new homes following the announcement of the State Veterans Home’s closure, and many suffered declining health in the days leading up to and following the move. Employees were left with just a few pay periods to find new work. State lawmakers said they were blindsided.
Wood said another result of Weisblat’s stories was elected state legislators holding multiple oversight hearings on behalf of the displaced veterans and questioning those responsible. Those hearings led to the legislature, Wood said, “implementing plans of resolution to ensure the affected veterans and families are being properly cared for.”
Wood presented Weisblat with a plaque and a certificate in recognition of the award. She was one of three people honored statewide with the MVP award. Elree Smith, a past commander of the NCVC and an officer emeritus with the organization, also attended and made remarks about Weisblat’s work.
“I am honored to accept the Most Valuable Patriot award from the North Carolina Veterans Council for my coverage on the closing of the State Veterans Home in Fayetteville,” Weisblat said. “I couldn’t have reported this important story without the support of the NCVC, my editors and those who had the courage to speak up in the face of extraordinary circumstances. It’s refreshing to know my reporting has made a positive impact and helped lift up veterans and their families.”
Weisblat’s stories also won 2nd place in the investigative reporting category of CityView’s division in the North Carolina Press Association awards competition.
