Service in battle, at home

Published 8:14 pm Tuesday, July 30, 2019

A few years ago, we had the opportunity to interview Joseph Quinton Dickerson because of his valiant service during World War II. Joe, as most people knew him, was with the first group of soldiers who rushed to claim Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944 — better known to many of us as the D-Day invasion.

Though wounded, he obviously lived to fight another day. Indeed, as pointed out by Cal Bryant and Holly Taylor from our sister newspaper, The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Joe then fought in the renown Battle of the Bulge. Again, he was injured. In fact, the head wound put him in a coma for a couple of weeks. After recovering at a Paris hospital, Joe got his discharge and sent home.

From there, he built a life rich in service in his own community.

Though he had been much honored in life — such as four Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars — on Tuesday, Joe went to his reward, dying at the age of 96.

We are proud to have met Joe and other people who have served our country and their respective localities. They are, in their way, role models for us today.

A life of service can truly be a fulfilling one.