In the News

Nabholz honors veterans who worked with company

By Jeanette Anderton

Nabholz Corporation in Conway recognized its employees who have served in the military and unveiled a Wall of Honor in front of a packed crowd Monday.

CEO Greg Williams said it was more of an undertaking than he had expected.

“It’s been quite the project,” he said of trying to find every employee who served since the company started 70 years ago. “It was eye opening to see how many of our employees have served our country.”

Williams said the wall was designed so that more names could be added. If anyone was left off, he encouraged them or their families to submit the information so they could be added.

“We also want to collect stories, pictures, interviews — anything people want to give us — to make an electronic tribute,” he said.

Among the guest speakers was Rep. French Hill, who is perhaps best known for the work he’s done for veterans.

Hill said one of his greatest honors as a congressman is “making sure those who have taken those uniforms off have the respect and benefits they deserve.”

He praised Nabholz for going the extra mile to honor employees who served the country as well as the company.

Major General Mark Berry, the adjutant general for Arkansas, echoed Hill’s statement and said he will soon be one of those who have taken off the uniform. He will retire next year from the Air Force after serving 45 years.

“I hate to do it,” he said. “I wish I had another 45 years in me to serve this great country I love so much.”

Chief of Staff Jack Bell, standing in for Mayor Bart Castleberry, read a proclamation declaring Nov. 26, 2018, as Nabholz Veteran Appreciation Day in the city of Conway.

In addition to the wall, Nabholz wanted to show its commitment to the military by donating $10,000 to Reboot Alliance.

Reboot Alliance representative Bryan Flanery — a veteran, husband and father of three — accepted the check and explained why the program means so much to him.

“It saved my life,” he said.

Several years ago, he sustained a knee injury during his tour of duty. He recalled joking about how nice it was to get to sit down as he rode in the back of the truck to be seen by medical personnel. On the way there, the truck crashed and rolled down a ravine.

Flanery was severely injured, including a major head trauma and several broken bones. He went through so many surgeries over the next few months, he said, that he couldn’t remember what they all were.

His physical recovery was slow and painful. But it was nothing compared to the mental anguish, he said.

“Everyone could see the outside injuries,” he said. “Nobody saw the war that was raging on the inside. I let it get the best of me, and I attempted to take my own life.”

It was Reboot Alliance that helped him deal with the spiritual wounds from the war, he said. He thanked Nabholz for the money that would help dozens of veterans receive the group’s services. Reboot Alliance relies mainly on donations and doesn’t charge veterans or their families.

“No veteran or their family has ever paid for Reboot Alliance’s services,” Flanery said.

As Flanery walked back to his seat, the crowd of more than a hundred people rose nearly in unison and gave him a standing ovation.