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Local war hero gets national recognition
Regan Hill photo
Dale Wilson was honored for being named the National Disabled Veteran of the Year during a luncheon at the Wallace Springs Road VFW Post 2031 yesterday.
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Published: June 20, 2009
The reason Dale Wilson was recently named the 2009 National Disabled American Veteran of the Year is not so much owed to a single thing he has done in the past 12 months.
His nomination, in fact, can not even be pinned down to a specific accomplishment, series of good deeds or acts of kindness, though those things are numerous.
Indeed, it may not even necessarily be a product of Wilson's disability, though that disability — seemingly, at least — is almost impossible to exaggerate.
Wilson, of Troutman, lost both his legs and right arm at the shoulder during combat in Vietnam.
"And he's not the least bit bitter about it," Nate Neely said during a gathering for Wilson on Friday afternoon at the VFW Post 2031 building in Statesville.
"It hasn't slowed him down a bit," added Edd Furr. "He's got about the best disposition on life of anyone I've ever met."
"Dale is such an easy guy to talk about," said Pete Meletis, the North Carolina Marine Corps League Chief of Staff. "He's the epitome of a positive person; the epitome of decency; and the epitome of a good citizen. And you will never meet a more humble person."
And more than anything else, it was Wilson's disposition and humility that won him the honor.
Wilson walks with a cane and his right prosthetic leg does not bend at the knee, so his motion can appear awkward at first. The sleeve from his button-down shirt was tucked into his pants pocket at Friday's event.
But as he moved through the crowd of about 50 people, his disabilities seemed to vanish.
Wilson even jokes about them.
"I don't know what I'm going to say when I'm presented the award," he said. "The only excuse I'll have is that I'm not all here."
His friends are light about them as well.
"I can tell you one thing about him," said Michael Keeler, a fellow Vietnam War veteran. "He can't shuffle cards worth a hoot."
Keeler tells the story of how he, Wilson and other friends used to play poker back in the 1970s.
"When it was his turn to deal, he just threw the cards down and did one of these kind of numbers," Keeler said and imitated mixing cards up on the table.
"But," Keeler added, "he usually won."
And, to a person, everyone who spoke about Wilson on Friday said that idea of having come out on top sums up Wilson's approach to life.
"He's just a super guy," said Harry Walker, manager of the VFW Post. "For a man who's been through what he's been through, he's amazing. His attitude is always up. I've never seen him down."
Added Walker, "He's an asset to Iredell County and an ambassador of good will."
And, as many Friday pointed out, Wilson seems always to be smiling. And he would tell you he has a lot to smile about.
"I've been blessed," Wilson said. "I have no regrets. And actually, I've been lucky. My life is full. I have a beautiful wife, two great kids and five beautiful grandchildren."
Wilson, who won the DAV's North Carolina Member of the Year in 2007, said that while he is honored to be named the recipient of the national award this year, he feels others should be in line in front of him for it.
He said he had actually gathered names to offer for nomination but was stopped.
Wilson recalled, "The commander told me, 'It's over, Dale, we got our man.' "
Wilson sometimes gives speeches to school children about his time in the Marine Corps. He said he touches on the things that happened in Vietnam but often has to deflect questions when the answers are the kinds of things he would rather forget.
"There's always that kid who asks, 'How many people did you kill?' " Wilson says and looks away as if an image appeared to him.
What he mostly tells the kids, he said, is that sometimes sacrifices have to be made.
"I tell them it's a great nation that we've all been lucky enough to grow up in," he said. "But once in a while, you have to give something back."
Wilson will receive his award at the DAV national convention in August in Denver.
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