The Marion VA Healthcare System , held its inaugural , Veterans Day , meeting on Monday, paying gift to native soldiers ‘ commitment to the country.
It’s the first day the , VA , has held an occasion to honor soldiers on the day set aside for them.
The moment held particular meaning, with a chair passion honoring Sergeant First Class , Gregory Lee Strong, a senior respected for his service and lasting impact on the veteran community.
” Today, we have a particularly meaningful tribute to share as we dedicate a bench in memory of Sergeant First Class Gregory Lee Strong” , , Zachary Sage, Executive Director of the , Marion VA, said.
” Greg’s dedication to service extended beyond his military career. He worked for the , VA, assisting soldiers with care membership. He afterwards served for the VFW as a former assistance officer.
Sage mentioned Strong as a hard-working man and activist, as well as a man who enjoyed playing slow-pitch ball, competing in dirt bike races, and singing singing.
” He is profoundly missed by all who knew him”, Sage said.
Strong’s military profession lasted 25 times, beginning when he enlisted in the , Army National Guard , in 1989. His determination saw him deployed to , Kuwait,  , Iraq, and , Afghanistan, and he finally retired as a , Sergeant First Class , in 2014.
However, even after retirement, he continued to serve those who had served, working hard to help soldiers in accessing the rewards they earned.
Dr.  , Hank Deiters , is a former and a real doctor at the hospital. He claimed that Robust, one of the great actors with solid character, was one of the people who spoke at the event.
” If you did n’t know Greg, you really missed out”, Deiters said. ” He left us for a reason nobody was expecting, and I did n’t know the last time I spoke to him would be the last”.
Deiters says Strong’s affect lives on. He stated to the audience that Powerful was devoted to soldiers and showed compassion and respect for each one of them.
Among those who attended was Strong’s fiancée,  , Debbie Barr, who shared her reflections on his reputation.
” My heart’s full”, Barr said. ” He would be so glad, he would be so proud”.
Barr said Solid was glad to be a senior, which defined him.
” He liked being recognized as a former”, Barr said. He wanted people to know that he was a senior and to help soldiers while he was on the trail.
Barr said Powerful rarely met a person, especially when it comes to other veterans.
” He would sit down with folks for hours, listening to them sharing testimonies,” Barr said. He aspired to accompany them wherever they went. A person who accepted comforting other veterans is fittingly remembered for this chair.
Strong’s daughter,  , Laura Anderson, spoke passionately about his lifelong dedication to veterans and his family.
Greg Anderson remarked,” Greg had an incredible commitment to both his country and the people he served.” He stated that “he wanted people to know that he was a senior and that supporting soldiers was important to him in everything he did.”
Anderson urged those who might also need assistance from the , VA  to do so, taking into account the system of clinics and the knowing they offer.
” The doctor can feel enormous, but the smaller trees make a difference”, Anderson said. ” They have people who know what it’s like, who understand”.
The statue will stand next to Strong’s former employer, the AMVETS building, where he once provided assistance to many veterans.
” He was n’t only proud of everything he accomplished, but he was also proud of the people he helped”, Anderson said. He had a distinct sense of pride because of how much he had influenced some of his veterans ‘ careers as well as their ability to join the military.
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