Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 4, 1990 TAG: 9003042070
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SENSABAUGH SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Nearly 400 people crowded into the new armory building to remember Hines, a slain state trooper and National Guard member; to tour the facility; and to see Gov. Douglas Wilder, who made his first appearance in the area since assuming office.
Citing Hines' warmth and selflessness, Wilder said that as he asked others across the state for their impressions of Hines, he got nothing but good reports.
"Nobody ever had a more open heart; nobody ever had a bigger heart," he said of Hines. "For in making Virginia a safer and a better place to live and to raise our families, he indeed touched all Virginians. In the hearts and souls of all whom he touched and now in this building, his memory lives on."
Wilder called it ironic that only days before Hines was killed on Feb. 20 last year by a motorist he had pulled over for a routine check, he had discussed with Wilder the possibilities of a name for the armory.
Prior to Wilder's remarks, John G. Castles, the Adjutant General of Virginia, called the trooper's widow, Carol Hines, to the platform where he presented her with a Legion of Merit medal for Hines. "His meritorious performance inspired his comrades," Castles said.
Part of the credit for Saturday's impressive display went to the National Guard, whose Third Battalion 116th Infantry has its headquarters at the new armory. The agenda included tours of the building, displays of heavy weaponry, trucks and helicopters, and a buffet spread that would be the envy of any Lexington hostess.
The rest of the credit for the event went to the Virginia Military Institute, whose V.M.I. Regimental Band heralded the arrival of the governor and whose brass provided the invocation and remarks.
The armory was begun in October 1987. V.M.I. deeded the armory property to the National Guard in return for cadet use of the facilities. In addition, six members of the Corps of Cadets are first-time members of the National Guard unit.
"I feel really good about this," said Sgt. Steve Corbin, who has worked with the local unit since its inception. "We had a good turnout . . . Jerry would have been proud. Hines held the rank of first sergeant in the local unit. His son Justin is a private first class in the same unit. He deserves this."
Hines' wife and children shared guests-of-honor status. "I have mixed emotions about this day," Carol Hines said after the ceremony. "I'm pleased they named the armory in memory of Jerry, but I would rather have him here."
by CNB