After hearing what he had done for Edenton’s veterans, it's fair and its future, E.C. Toppin accepted the Distinguished Citizen Award on Veterans Day with a few words about the man who had shown him where to start.

“It’s an honor to accept this. I don’t feel deserving of it. I just followed as best I could in my father’s footsteps, because he was always a big part of the community,” Toppin said. “Just trying to follow that example.”

It had fallen to his friend Candace Morgan to tell the audience what following that example had looked like over more than 50 years. Morgan, who nominated Toppin for the award on behalf of the Edenton Tea Party Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, had intended to keep his name to herself until she had described his qualifications. On Nov. 11, facing an audience that knew his work at American Legion Post 40 and the Chowan County Regional Fair, she reconsidered.

“The minute I open my mouth, everyone will know who the recipient is,” Morgan said. “So I’m going to go ahead and tell you who that recipient is. And then I’ll tell you how he qualified for this award.”

“And I’m very, very proud to say that the recipient of this award is our friend, E.C. Toppin.”

With that, Morgan asked Toppin to stay in his seat a few moments longer while she told him what his friends and neighbors knew about him.

Bonnie Henn, regent of the Edenton Tea Party Chapter, had opened the presentation by thanking Post 40 for again inviting the chapter to take part in its Veterans Day observance. Before explaining the award, Henn spoke to the veterans as a sister.

“It is such an honor, a humbling honor to share a stage with those who have served, as well as this entire day with those who have served,” Henn said. She described herself as “the little sister of two veterans” and added, “I appreciate all of you and all that you’ve done.”

Henn explained that the Distinguished Citizen Award recognized extraordinary service in the defense, promotion or preservation of American heritage and freedom. The nomination began with the local chapter and required approval at the state and national levels. Morgan, chair of the chapter’s National Defense Committee, and state chair Sharon Hogan saw Toppin’s nomination through that process.

“The award recognizes individuals who fulfill the qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership and patriotism,” Morgan said.

Toppin served four years in the United States Air Force. His father was a World War II veteran, and in 1973 the son followed him into the American Legion, joining Post 40 in Edenton. He served two years as post commander and more than 40 years as post adjutant. The American Legion recognized him with a certificate marking 50 years of continuous membership.

“Over the next five decades, he became the bedrock of local veteran support,” Morgan said. “His lifelong dedication ensures that local veterans are honored, remembered and supported.”

There was another place where generations of Chowan County residents had come to know Toppin. He spent more than half a century volunteering for the county fair, serving as its longtime manager and president. Around Edenton, Morgan said, he was “Mr. Chowan County Fair.”

Under his leadership, Morgan said, the fair grew into an award-winning regional event that celebrated local agriculture, gave young people opportunities to learn and brought neighbors together. His years at the fair also earned him volunteer-of-the-year honors.

Toppin’s work on the Edenton Planning Board was a quieter part of the record Morgan had assembled. He had moved to Edenton in the mid-1960s for work and later volunteered to represent residents of the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction on the board. There, he helped weigh decisions about land use and the infrastructure a growing community would need, with an eye toward preserving Edenton’s historic character.

“He has demonstrated the courage to lead, the honor to serve, and unwavering patriotism,” Morgan said before inviting her friend forward to receive the award and its accompanying medal.

Toppin kept his own remarks short. He thanked the chapter, remembered his father and then turned the invitation to serve back to the people who had gathered that day.

“I encourage all of you to consider what you can do,” Toppin said.

“But everybody can do something.”