Story by Dick Camrey

The Troutman Baptist Church in Troutman, NC celebrated Dale Wilson Day. Dale Wilson is a Marine and the National 2009 Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year.

Dale Wilson is a member of the MCL Iredell County, Detachment #1097 that lost both legs and an arm from a command detonated 105mm booby trap in Vietnam. The ceremony was very moving and consisted of opening remarks by the Detachment Commandant and presentation of a Distinguished Service Award, the presentation of the Long Leaf Pine Award by Steve Pierce which is the highest award granted to a civilian in the state of NC, proclamation of Dale Wilson Day by the Town of Troutman by Mayor Elbert Richardson, speech by the MCL Department of NC Chief of Staff to include comments from the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps General Amos, presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation by the MCL Department of NC Commandant, and certification and presentation of a flag flown in 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom by the Marine Corps League Past National Vice Commandant Mideast Division Vice Commandant.

Additionally, there was a video presentations “Soldiers Prayer”, and American Soldier, a very moving video of Dale’s Grandchildren talking about their Grandfather, a testimony from Dale’s daughter, comments from Dale’s wife Linda and final comments by Dale. Dale said “I don’t know how you can go about explaining such a blessing. I can’t believe the effort people went through today and I appreciate it so much.”

Dale is a very courageous Marine that has overcome what many of us would have considered handicapped but if you talked to him and watched him you would never know it.