America has been known as the “Land of the free and home of the brave,” for as long as we can remember, although it does not stay that way without a sacrifice.
This sacrifice includes many brave men and women willing to give up the comforts of their normal lives, leaving their homes and families to go into unknown territories. Some of these brave men and women never make it back home.
Of the ones who do, there are sometimes lifetime injuries which they and their families must live with, along with nightmares of what they endured and the post-traumatic stress disorder that goes along with it.
In pondering on the many experiences I’ve heard from numerous veterans, I was motivated to help their voices be heard. I was invited to speak to several veterans and explain my goal for the article series. They were very receptive, and for that, I thank them all.
This article is an introduction to a series spotlighting numerous war veterans, as well as allowing them to share some of their personal experiences; honoring them for their service. Some who have served will be able to relate to many of their stories, and for some, it will be a revealing experience.
Bill Craddock is an 87-year-old veteran and one of the brave men who served in the U.S. Air Force and fought in Korea. He wanted to make a difference when he came back to the states.
Craddock lives in the vicinity of Norwood’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6183 in Stanly County, where he began attending about five years ago.
Post 6183 currently has around 63 members, with veterans from all military branches who fought in Vietnam, Korea, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Craddock is currently the Post’s commander, but will be moving up to vice commander over the district soon. Being highly motivated, Craddock decided to do something that would bring the VFW Post 6183 to the attention of others. The post has been recognized with state and national awards presented each year.
Soon after moving to Norwood and joining the post, Craddock also became aware that no one was performing funerals to honor the military. He took initiative and, with the help of others, began to honor the fallen, and he makes sure to cater to each family’s needs per their request.
On Memorial Day, he and numerous others visit around 27 cemeteries where they place flags on all the gravesites of fallen servicemen and women in remembrance and honor of their service.
“We place well over 1,000 flags each year,” Craddock said.
Craddock also began visiting schools once a year, performing flag ceremonies and teaching the students flag etiquette.
“We teach young people how to honor, fold, and represent the flag at their schools,” Craddock said. “They really get involved in these teachings.”
Post 6183 members meet each month on the third Thursday, when they discuss any issues. They also meet on the first Saturday and invite any other veterans to join them in having coffee, snacks and fellowship.
“All veterans are invited to the Saturday meetings; you do not have to be a member. I do this for all the others,” said Craddock. “If any veteran of foreign war wants to join the post, they are required to show their DD214, the official documentation of service.”
There are many ways that a post can reach out to fellow veterans, as one veteran stated he got connected through a car show.
Dwight Poplin, a Vietnam veteran, is one member who has been attending for a while. His grandfather, Gillis Poplin, served in World War I and began holding the meetings in his home until the post was established.
“My grandfather was wounded in France,” Poplin said when presenting a donation of what looked like a kit from the Red Cross. “I guess this is just a diddy bag that the Red Cross gave to the soldiers. He was always saving stuff; I found it in his trunk. He was a member back when it first began and really enjoyed it.”
This series of articles is dedicated to my family members who have served and fought in foreign wars as well as those currently serving, along with all who fought to keep freedom and liberty in America.
Let us never forget.
