Quick Links
Veteran Stories Page 2
Jerry FarleyI am requesting this pin in honor of my father Jerry Farley. Jerry Farley served as an Army Sergeant in the Korean Conflict. He lost hearing in his ear after a grenade exploded near him, but never regretted his service to our country. He felt serving was his duty even though his family discouraged him because his older brother John had died while serving in the Pacific arena during World War II. He would be glad to know that North Carolina is doing this to honor veterans who fought for the freedoms that we often take for granted. - Lisa Gamache
I would like to honor my father, Marvel McLin Green, as part of the Vote in Honor of a Veteran Program in the 2008 General Election. My father served in the U.S. Army in Okinawa during World War II. He died in 1964 at the age of 53. He rarely talked about his service to our country. But, I always knew he was a patriot - taking care of his family and contributing to his church and community. He became a third degree Mason and worked tirelessly in the Republican Party.
I would like to receive 3 pins in honor of Marvin Lee Adams, who served in the Air Force for 20 years, spent time overseas during the Vietnam War, and in the states. When he retired from the Air Force, he worked for the Federal Government at NADAP in Norfolk, VA until they closed it. He enjoyed motorcycles and became the Safety Instructor for North Carolina until he developed esophagus cancer. He had surgery done in Duke Hospital but a year and a half later, it returned with vengance and he died in June 2005. He enjoyed the Air Force and loved to work on airplanes.
Lisa Wood
Thank you for recognizing our Veterans through this program.
There’s so much I’m thankful for in regard to those in the armed forces who have and are continuing to serve our country on our behalf. I’m personally proud of my daughter who works with a commendable vision towards service. Her commitment, drive and focus throughout her time overseas, away from family and loved ones is inspirational, a gift to our country and a legacy to her children. - Teresa Dagaz
Wilbur Debnam
Throughout my life, Mr. Wilbur Debnam, a WW2 Army officer veteran and a lifelong member
of my church has continued to inspire me and others that he contacts. Mr. Debnam,
flew bombing airplanes during combat in WW2 and was wounded. He is my hero, and it
is he who inspired me to become a officer and Captain in the Army.
Mr. Debnam, is a fine example to all Veterans and deserves to be honored by a badge if you will mail this badge to me, I will wear it proudly. - Fred Ellington
My father fought in the Army during WW II. He was with the troops that were stranded 30 miles behind enemy lines during the Battle of the Bulge. He very seldom talked about his experience, but the few details that were passed on to us were frightening. The horror that these heroes suffered was considered "our part of the job that needed to be done". He carried the scars of that fight for the rest of his life. - Maria Deariso
This is a request for a personalized buttons(two each--one for myself –one for their sister) to honor my sons, Brian Lee Carter age 38, and Robert Lee Carter age 35. Both served in the Air Force during the conflicts in the early and mid 1990’s.
I am requesting a pin in honor of my father, Robert "Neal" Willis of Beaufort,NC. He served his country proudly as a Chief Radioman during WW II serving in the US Navy aboard eight ships. During the War he wrote many letters home addressed "To the Editor" of The Beaufort News, the local newspaper. These letters helped people at home understand what was going on with the War. When the War ended, as a charter member he helped establish the Jones-Austin VFW post. He always took pride in service of our country and was a promoter of patriotism. He died four years ago at the age of eighty seven. I'm sure he would be happy to know that the North Carolina State Board of Elections is paying this tribute to veterans. Thank you for recognizing our Veterans. - Linda Willis Sadler
Stewart A. Hommel
Stewart A. Hommel, SSgt. USAF Disable Veteran assigned to 81 FMS in 1969, TDY
to Libya, N. Africa. I was on the last flight out of Wheelis, AFB Tripoli, Libya.
There government wanted us out. This was the last time we occupied this base.
- Stewart A. Hommel
Thurman W. Peedin
I am honoring my father who was a World War II veteran from Johnston County, North
Carolina. My father, Thurman W. Peedin, served in the United States Army as an enlisted
soldier from February 1941 until honorable discharge in 1945. He was in an engineering
company. He served in North Africa, Italy, and France. My father was wounded at a
place in Italy called “purple heart valley.” His picture was on the cover of life
magazine dated July 3, 1944. There is no inside cover story, only his picture helping
a wounded soldier returning from a patrol. My father taught me early about values,
the importance of a free nation, and that we must always vote. He died in 1981, leaving
this world as lived his life, a Christian. - Wayne Peedin
William R. Reichstein
Dad was a veteran of WWII, Korea, Vietnam. He passed and was buried with full military
honors in 2002. He lived and breathed the Corp and for the Marine Corp League after
his discharge. 30 yrs of military service, 20 yrs League. Dad was MCL National Marine
of the Year in 1997, he was Honorary National Commandant of the MCL in 1999. - Denise
and Fred Ingram
I am voting in honor of my father, Mervin F. Anderson, who served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. My father lived to the age of 99, and passed away on Memorial Day of 2007. He spent the last five years of his life at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Hospital in Charleston, SC. He was very happy to be able to trade old war stories with other WWII vets. I will be forever grateful to the staff for the excellent care he received from all his caregivers. - Bonnie M. LeDuc
Steve Farmer (1952-2008) served for three years in the United States Army. He died in January of this year of a heart attack, but he spent his life serving his fellow man. He was a volunteer EMT, Firefighter and Fire Chief in Marshville, NC. He was a band parent for the High School and drove the bus for the band long after his own children graduated. He served his family, his church, his community and was a helping hand whenever one was needed. He truly understood what it meant to serve God and Country. - Larry Farmer
I would like a pin to honor a long-time member of my church, Mr. Henry Bookhardt. Mr. Bookhardt is 88 and still attends church faithfully. He served for 30 years and retired as a chief warrant officer 4. He served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. I would like to honor him on election day. Thanks so much for this wonderful idea! - Joyce Johnston
My husband is a World War II Army veteran, and I would like to have a button for him. Erwin S. Batten served from 1942 to 1946 in the HQ Battery 367th Field Artillery of the Army's 98th Division. Before his division sailed from Hawaii to Japan, they were told that there would be 85% casualties when they landed on the beaches. While they were on the water, the atomic bomb was dropped, and Japan surrendered. They were the first to land after the unbelievable destruction.
My husband served for six years in the army - not a career vet - the most part as Military Intelligence / Military Poice. The military was his home and he loves it to this day. I would appreciate a button to surprise him. His full name is Hal William Harrison; however, he has used the nickname of "Bill" for years. Bill Harrison is preferred. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity. Bill is in later stages of congestive heart failure at 68 years of age, and knowing he hasn't been forgotten will lift him tremendously. - Wanda Harrison
I am writing to honor my husband, Jerry Ross Seago. Jerry flew helicopters in Vietnam with the 189th AHC. He came home to be a good father, a good husband, and a productive citizen of our country. We have raised two daughters and are proud grandparents of six beautiful grandchildren. Jerry continues to exemplify what it means to love our country and believe in our way of life. Jerry and other Vietnam veterans formed the North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association several years ago and has spent the last 20 years of his life sharing the history of Vietnam Veterans with the children and general public of our great State. I am personally proud of him for his service to our country during that tumultuous time in our Nation's history. I am proud that men like him for many generations have preserved my right as an American citizen to vote and have my voice heard on this election day. - Barbara Seago
T. Ford Dixon was a WWII Vet. He was in the Army 44th Combat Engineers. He was a POW captured at the Battle of the Bulge. He lived in Yadkinville, NC and passed away at the age of 88. He was a great Father and Grandfather, we miss him. Thanks. - The Dixon Family
Thank you for offering this button as another way of honoring our veterans. I will wear it proudly, as I work the polls on Election Day! Please include the name Ronald Ellis, as my honoree on my button. He is my husband and served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Needless to say, I am VERY proud of him. The fact that he enlisted in the Army instead of waiting to be drafted, speaks volumes about the man and how he feels about our country. - Georgia Ellis
I recently learned of your free button on voting in honor of a veteran and wish to share something about my Great-Uncle Marvin Hellard of Mocksville, NC (deceased). Uncle Marvin served as a Machinist's Mate on board the USS Missouri during WWII in the Asian-Pacific Theater.
I would like a button to honor my father, SSG Paul B. Dry. He served in North Africa, Belgium, France and Germany during WWII, and was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" and two Purple Hearts, but the stories he told were always about other men's bravery, never his own. I do know that he rushed a position that had his squad pinned down, single handedly capturing six enemy soldiers. He mostly talked about serving in Patton's army during the Battle of the Bulge. Dad was part of the generation that simply saw a duty to do, and did it. He was active in the Mooresville VFW Post #1072 in the Honor Guard after the war. We always flew the flag outside our house, and I continue to do so today at my home. I was, and still am, very proud of my father. His service influenced my career in the Army, of which he was always proud. He never missed an opportunity to vote, and when I became eligible, he made sure I never missed it either. Dad died in 1986 but would have loved voting in this election. - David W. Dry, SFC US Army Retired
I would like to honor my father, David J. Eddleman, who fought in WWII. He went to England early in the war to help forecast weather for the bobers going to Europe and then to prepare for D-Day. He went to Europe after D-Day with Patton's army, and was at the Battle of the Bulge. His two brothers also fought, his twin brother in the Pacific and his older brother in Europe. His older brother died there.
James L. Dawson
The veteran I want to honor is my Dad, James L. Dawson. He served in the
United States Army during WWII. He was particularly interested in Politics and always
encouraged us to vote. My Dad, I think was the first person at the polls for every
election throughout my life! He was determined to exercise the right that so many
fought and died for. As an African American man who grew up in the South and experienced
first hand how segregation affected our community, my Dad stood strong and believed
in and loved this Country.
All of my life he told stories of his experiences overseas. The one that I remember most is when he was in the Fiji Islands, he was given eggs that were fried in lamb grease. He never ate lamb after that! He passed on December 9,2006. Oh how I wish he were here to witness this historic election!!
I love and miss him so much, and in his honor not only will I vote, but I am also a Campaign Volunteer! Thank you Daddy for all you've taught me, especially a love for this great country of ours! - Jacqueline Dawson
George Harrison Hall, Jr.
I would like to honor my father, George Harrison Hall, Jr. My father joined the army
in 1940. He lied about his age in order to join. In the beginning, he was sent to
Panama where he contacted malaria and was a baseball player. When the war broke out,
he was sent to Europe where he received his first purple heart. After recovering,
he was sent back where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he received his
second purple heart and a Bronze Star. As a history teacher in high school, I tried
to "pick" my father about details about the war, but he wouldn't talk much about it.
I asked him would he please write his memoirs about the war, but I never received
them while he was alive.
My father was very sick with pulmonary fibrosis, when my husband and I took him to the World War II Memorial in Washington when he was 80 years old. That was one of my most memorable experiences with him. Wearing his ribbons on his hat, we spent over 3 hours at the memorial with all types of people coming up to him and shaking his hand and thanking him for the freedom that he had enabled them to have. So many tears were shed that day by people like me and other verterans.
He died the week before Christmas at the age of 82. A week after he died, my mother found a 20 page letter where he told me all about his experiences in the war. It was dated 1983...probably about the time that I had requested him to write it down. This means so much to me, because I now know what he endured to give all of us the freedom that we are now experiencing.
In 2001, my father had the honor of pinning the wings on my son who had graduated from the Naval Academy and had graduated from flight school in Pensacola. He was so proud of his grandson, Christopher Steven Hinkle, who was a pilot that served in Iraq. - Pat Hall Mabe
George W. Punch
I am voting this year in honor of my dad, George W. Punch. He was a Marine that served
in World War II in the Pacific Theater. His "Corps" value was something lived by and
taught this to my brother and I, that we both joined the Marines and served in Vietnam.
We lost him in April 2006 and I know that he is gaurding Heaven scenes. - Wesley
Dale Punch
William Ebersbach
“Bill” is married to a nursing colleague of mine. We met when they were living in
Maine. He served in the Marines during the Viet Nam War and is a Purple Heart recipient.
He is retired from FAA and now works for UNC-Wilmington. I am honored to be Bill’s
friend and will be voting in his honor, in honor of all veterans and those serving
in the military during this election. Thank you for this program. - Lois-Ann
Holmes
Ebin Joseph Bell
I would like to honor my father Ebin Joseph Bell of Swansboro NC, but lived in Wilmington
NC at time of his death. He was born in 1921 and past away in 2006. He was in the
Army/Air Core during World War II. He helped stormed the beaches of Normandy. To this
day I wear one of his military pins every day close to my heart in remeberance of
the time he served and for what he and others did for us and our country. I thank
all of you. - Gloria Yarborough
Walter Allen Sommers
A member of the Greatest Generation, my father remains a true American. Joining the
Navy during WWII, he became a ship's carpenter for 18 months on a ship named the LST265.
Although the ship came under enemy fire, my dad and the crew managed to escape harm.
This loyal U.S. citizen travelled the Mediterranean Sea, plus he landed in Japan right
after the atomic bomb.
Today, he and my mother live with my husband and me in NC. He now remains on a list to become eligible in the state of NC for veteran's benefits. There is a two-month waiting list! Last year, a group of wonderful volunteers and contributors took my dad and other WWII veterans to visit Washington, D.C.! What a proud moment it was for the men to visit the WWII Memorial. They were treated like kings! After living through the war and the depression, the legacy of my father's lessons of life, truth, honesty, and loyalty to one's country is something I am very proud of. To this day, he struggles to walk to the flag pole and hang the American flag. Please send me a Veteran's button. - Patricia Sommers Barnett
Diana K. Sulpizio
The story of the Veteran I am honoring begins with who I am. My Veteran HERO is my
mother, Maj. Diana K. Sulpizio,RN USAF-deceased. Although I hardly knew her, I do
remember how she loved our country. I remember asking her why she had to wear "that
uniform" to work. She would explain the importance of giving back to a country that
has given us so much.
I was only 7 years old when I heard those dreaded words on the radio station. It was July 11, 1973 and I can still remember the sound bite they played when an emergency news broadcast was getting ready to be aired. I turned the vacuum off and turn the radio up so I could hear the story. It was when I heard my mother's name- being declared dead. The announcer had only read the headline before the commercial break. I ran to the other side of the house to gather my older brother and younger sister; explaining to them what I had heard on the radio. We sat in front of the speakers waiting for the announcer to return. The announcer began by repeating the story headline, when he repeated my mother's name the three of us just looked at each other in complete silence.
The military funeral was American's way of saying "Thank You". I am so proud of my mother and trying to make make her proud has been my life long mission. - Kristi Segovia