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Burke veterans recognized

Jennifer Frew | The News Herald

United States Marine Corp Veteran Dale Wilson, left, speaks as the special guest during the Burke County Veterans Day ceremony in Morganton on Wednesday. Wilson has been honored as the 2009 National Disabled American Veteran of the Year.

By Julie N. Chang | The News Herald

Published: November 12, 2009

MORGANTON - Young and old faces dotted Patton High School's auditorium Tuesday morning, as veterans, their families, friends and community members gathered to acknowledge United States veterans.

The Veterans Day ceremony recognized men and women who served in the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Air Force.

Special guest Dale Wilson, the 2009 National Disabled American Veteran of the Year and former Marine, brought some humor to the program.

Wilson, who lost both his legs and an arm during the Vietnam War, said despite his new title, his wife still reminds him to take out the trash.

"I'm honored and proud to be here today," Wilson said, crediting God for sparing his life and his continued wellbeing.

Burke County Manager Ron Lewis, a former Marine, introduced Wilson. Both Lewis and Wilson are from Iredell County, where they also attended high school together.

Lewis said according to U.S. military statistics since World War I only 40 soldiers have survived high hit injuries. Of those 40, only 17 learned how to walk again. Wilson was one of those men.

"You saw him walk out here with me and take a seat," Lewis said. It took Wilson a year and a half to walk again.

Wilson said, "As long as I've got a Marine by my side, I don't have to worry about getting up and down."

Lewis said veterans just want to "do their job — preserve freedom for this country — do their job and return home."

"Our veterans know that freedom is not free," Lewis said, "and we shall never let Americans forget that freedom is not free."

Lewis told the stories of a handful of Burke County veterans from World War II to the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"They're every walk of life, and they walk among you everyday," Lewis said.

Shirley McCurry, Burke County Veterans Services director, said, "This nation has not forgotten you or shall forget you...Your country thanks you, your nation thanks you, I thank you."

McCurry continued, "In every American heart burns the soul of a mighty warrior."