| People
throughout Winston County have important jobs to do and do them well. One such
person is Dwight Thomas of Haleyville who has been the Winston County Veterans
Service Officer for the past 18 years.
Dwight's job is basically to file
claims for veterans and their dependents on pensions, service connected disabilities,
education, veterans life insurance, burial claims, VA home loans, ect.
Dwight
is not only well known for his service to veterans and families, but also to veteran
organizations such as The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled
American Veterans, to his church( Haleyville First Methodist), the boy scouts,
the Masonic Lodge and to the city.
Born in Haleyville in 1944 he is the
son of the Late C.D. and Vera Thomas of Haleyville. He is married to the former
Trudy Gravitt and has two children, Craig, 33 of Haleyville and Chad 26, a student
at Jacksonville State University.
Dwight is a 1962 graduate of Haleyville
High School and a 1965 graduate of Walker College with an Associate of Science
Degree. He also attened the University of North Alabama for one year and has attended
an I.B.M. computer school in New Orleans, LA.
Dwight served in the U.S.
Army from 1966-1968 and served in Vietnam from Jan. 1967 to July '68. He was honorably
discharged in July of 1968 with the rank of E-5. While in the military he received
the Good Conduct medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Commendation Medal, National
Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with V Device and Vietnam Service Medal.
Dwight
served two terms on the Haleyville City Council from 1980-1988 and served as Liason
to the Parks and Recreation during his first term and the Fire Department during
his second term.
Dwight was scoutmaster of Boy Scout troop 97 from 1969
to 1981 and had nine boys achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He received the young
scouter of the year award and the Phil Shapiro scouting award. He is presently
the Troop 97 institutional representative.
His work with veteran organizations
is well known throughout Alabama. He has been a member of the VFW and American
Legion for over 30 years and a member of the DAV for over 10 years. In the VFW
he is presently the Commander of Post 4543 and previously held this position from
1975-1981. He has held every office in the VFW at the local and district level
including District 12 Commander from 1991-1992.
Veteran awards Dwight has
received include: All State Team of Post Commanders for 10 years, President of
the United States Young Veteran Award in 1979, VFW Young Veteran of the year in
1970, appointed a National-Aide-De-Camp by National VFW in 1979,80,88,89.
Dwight
was a member of the Haleyville Band Boosters from 1984-1998 and was president
for 3 years. Dwight never missed a High School or College performance of either
of his children while they were in band.
Dwight has been a member of the
Haleyville Rescue Squad and held the rank of Captain for 1 year. He is a member
of the Haleyville First United Methodist Church and is a Mastor Mason with Haleyville
Masonic Lodge 464.
Dwight was instrumental in getting the Veterans Memorial
built on the lawn at Haleyville City Hall and has been the co-chair for the annual
Veterans Day Parade for the past 18 years.
Dwight says his greatest satisfaction
is helping other veterans and taking part in patriotic activities. | CLUES | •
A REAL TROOPER
| •Shook
hands with General Schwarzkopf
| •Not
born on, but married on the 4th of July | •loves
God and country
|
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