The history of this veterans’ recognition program began with an idea from a local Vietnam veteran activist and a dance instructor. Ted Sampley and Mary Beth Dawson wanted a way to pay tribute to the many veterans that have given so much in the continued fight for world peace and freedom. The first Salute “show” was performed in November 2000 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC to a multitude of veterans and visitors to our nation’s capital. Positive comments after the show prompted Mr. Sampley and Mrs. Dawson to bring the performance back to their hometown of Kinston, North Carolina.