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| RICK THOMAS/Press William "Dusty" Rhoads hugs Valarie Syth following a ceremony naming him Hayden's Veteran of the Year on Saturday. |
Hayden honors vet for service -- in the military and after his time in the military ended
HAYDEN -- One machine gun blew up in his face in Vietnam.
While loading ammunition for machine guns into a B-52 bomber at Fairchild Air Force Base, a container crashed down on him, putting him in a body cast for six months.
In spite of those injuries incurred over 26 years of years of military service, William "Dusty" Rhoads continued to serve his fellow veterans 21 years after retiring. On Saturday, the city of Hayden honored him as its Veteran of the Year.
"Dusty is a warrior," said Roger Saterfiel in a ceremony at City Hall following a Veterans Day parade on Government Way. "His service didn't end after 26 active years."
At age 69, Rhoads, a retired Air Force master sergeant who traveled the world and the United States, volunteered for duty in Vietnam, where he spent 26 months, said Carl Gidlund, himself a retired Air Force colonel and Army veteran.
"To hundreds of North Idaho vets, he is 'Mr. Veteran,' and as such we're honoring him as part of the city of Hayden's celebration of Veterans Day," Gidlund said.
Despite his physical injuries, Rhoads is active in virtually every veterans' organization, including Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans and Retired Enlisted Association, and has held state and local offices in most, Gidlund said.
Among Rhoads' contributions to his fellow vets is installing grab bars and wheelchair ramps in the homes of disabled veterans, organizing a convoy of food to a veterans home in Lewiston, collecting clothing, books and DVDs for the home and frequently volunteering at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Spokane.
"Dusty, for your service to our nation, our community, and to your fellow veterans, I salute you," Gidlund said.
Two cases of military service medals were on display at the ceremony attended by about 50.
"I'm thrilled to see him get this," said Jim Connell, a Korea veteran and retired Air Force major. "There can't be anyone more deserving in the county."
Wayne Syth, chairman of the veterans affairs committee that helped select the winner of the annual award, said Rhoads "gives 200 percent to the community and 250 percent to the veterans community. It is well deserved."
Rhoads said there are many other veterans deserving of the award, and he was surprised at being the recipient.
"It's quite an honor," he said. "The two before me were great people. It's nice for veterans to be recognized. Part of the reason I do what I do is when I came home, nobody said thanks."
Susie Snedaker wrote on Nov 8, 2009 7:18 PM: