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Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
National D-Day Memorial marks 25 years in Bedford
Updated: Jun. 6, 2026 at 11:45 PM EDT
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By
WDBJ7 Staff
It’s been 82 years since U.S. and Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy during World War II.
News
Two local WWII D-Day Veterans reflect 82 years later
Updated: Jun. 6, 2026 at 5:00 AM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Both George Hubbard and James Flinchum were honored ahead of the D-Day anniversary
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Two World War II D-Day heroes honored in Roanoke
Updated: Jun. 2, 2026 at 1:27 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
George Hubbard and James Flinchum recognized as Freedom 250: Hometown Heroes.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Johnnie Dodd
Updated: Jun. 2, 2026 at 6:00 AM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Mr. Johnnie Dodd served during Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, and he worked as an engineer building bridges.
Target 7
Target 7: Veteran who battled addiction finds purpose in helping others heal
Updated: Jun. 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Eric Garrison is a combat veteran and launched the non-profit LionHeart
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
The Bravest Call: Heroes who need help
Updated: May 28, 2026 at 9:26 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
United States Army combat veteran Eric Garrison sat down with Melissa Gaona to discuss his experience with addiction and recovery.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: James Guilliams
Updated: May 26, 2026 at 12:54 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
James Guilliams is an Army veteran who was drafted in 1952
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Warren Bernard Arrington
Updated: May 19, 2026 at 5:00 AM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Arrington served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Churchwell Alderman, Jr.
Updated: May 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Alderman served on the U.S.S. Vincennes in 1942, during the Battle of Savo Island.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Berkley Williams Simmons, Jr.
Updated: May 5, 2026 at 5:00 AM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Simmons is a native of Elliston, Virginia who served infantry in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Local Radar
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Combat veteran turns cosmetologist in efforts to raise awareness of vet suicide
Updated: Apr. 30, 2026 at 1:18 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Mike Hughes launched mobile barbershop ‘Mi22ion’ to deliver haircuts to busy people while spreading awareness of a topic close to his heart
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Ronald Lee Poff
Updated: Apr. 28, 2026 at 7:51 AM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
United States Marine Poff served during Vietnam
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: David Donald Bane
Updated: Apr. 21, 2026 at 6:00 AM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
David Donald Bane was one of Darby’s Army Rangers in the 1940s
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Robert Oliveira
Updated: Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:39 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Coast Guard Senior Chief Radioman Robert Oliveira for his 24 yrs of military service.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Raymond Perdue
Updated: Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:00 AM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Perdue served as military police and led the color guard for the opening ceremony of the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Marines design mud run course for every level
Updated: Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Two Marines are on a mission to push the strong, welcome the beginner, and prove there’s a place for everyone at the starting line.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Walter A. Price
Updated: Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:00 AM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Walter served in the United States Air Force for four years and answered the wartime call of duty by serving in Vietnam.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Vietnam veteran shares how he deals with life after war
Updated: Mar. 26, 2026 at 4:08 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
He enjoys the small things because he knows what it's like to go without.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Coy Daugherty
Updated: Mar. 24, 2026 at 6:00 AM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
As a POW, Coy Daugherty was first in the Philippines then transferred on what he called a hell ship to Japan where he was used as slave labor in the Mitsubishi mines.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Melissa Carter Johnson
Updated: Mar. 17, 2026 at 6:00 AM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Melissa Carter Johnson was born in Lexington, Virginia and joined the Army in 1988 after graduating from Lexington High School.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Thomas Morgan
Updated: Mar. 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Thomas served both active duty and reserves in the Marine Corps from 1984 to 1992.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Richard Franklin Wright, Sr.
Updated: Mar. 3, 2026 at 5:00 AM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Richard joined the U.S. Army in 1964; he served in Germany for a year as a chemical inspector.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Written letters tell the story of a WWII POW
Updated: Feb. 26, 2026 at 5:00 AM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Coy Daugherty’s youngest daughter shares the story of her dad’s experience after being captured by the Japanese in 1942
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Markita Thomas
Updated: Feb. 24, 2026 at 5:00 AM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Master Sergeant Markita D. Thomas entered the U.S. Army in 2003
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Edward Durwood Nichols
Updated: Feb. 17, 2026 at 5:00 AM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Edward Durwood Nichols served in Vietnam from June 1966 to June 1968.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Cameron Pack
Updated: Feb. 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Cameron served in the United States Navy as an Aircrewman from 1986 to 1991.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Bob & Bill Pack
Updated: Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:00 AM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
The ‘Pack brothers’ both served in the military in different branches.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Veterans cemetery recruiting Honor Guard members
Updated: Jan. 29, 2026 at 4:42 PM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
The Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery continues to bring honor and respect to deceased military men and women thanks to the Honor Guard.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Cyrus Walker
Updated: Jan. 27, 2026 at 5:00 AM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Walker was a paratrooper in the Pacific during WWII.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Robert W. Graham, Jr.
Updated: Jan. 20, 2026 at 5:00 AM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Graham served 5 years in the United States Navy and during the Vietnam War
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Charlie Keith Wyrick
Updated: Jan. 13, 2026 at 5:00 AM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Wyrick received the National Defense Service Medal amongst others
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Earle S. Libby
Updated: Jan. 6, 2026 at 5:00 AM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Libby retired from the United States Navy as a Commander, is a purple heart recipient, and served in the Vietnam War.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Wife serves veteran with quiet strength
Updated: Dec. 18, 2025 at 3:16 PM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Despite being in her 70s, Becky Allen takes care of her husband
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Paul Edward Reed
Updated: Dec. 16, 2025 at 11:09 AM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Paul Edward Reed was drafted into the United States Army during World War II.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Wayne Fenton
Updated: Dec. 9, 2025 at 5:00 AM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
A lifelong resident of Blacksburg, Fenton was drafted to the US Army right out of high school in 1965.
Tuesdays Of Honor
Tuesdays of Honor: Estle E. Corvin
Updated: Dec. 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
PFC Corvin was laid to rest 80 years after being killed in action during WWII
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Innovative technology takes aim at soldier suicide
Updated: Nov. 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Black Box Project uses digital devices to examine data and gain insight into crisis situations.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Cold War veteran thriving at age 93
Updated: Nov. 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
After enduring a major surgery, William Huff lives a fruitful life and he thanks the Salem VA
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
PHOTOS WANTED: “Tuesdays of Honor” campaign honors hometown veterans
Updated: Oct. 9, 2025 at 5:55 PM EDT
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By
WDBJ7 Staff
It's a campaign designed to salute heroes who have served in the United States military.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Martinsville combat veteran now fights for suicide prevention
Updated: Sep. 25, 2025 at 3:21 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
From defending freedom on foreign soil to defending lives at home and abroad, Dennis Bender is still serving
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Display salutes service and sacrifice
Updated: Aug. 28, 2025 at 3:20 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Field of Honor is an inspirational formation of over 1,000 American flags on the grassy fields of Automated Conveyor Systems.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
250 years of U.S. Army’s journey on display
Updated: Jul. 25, 2025 at 1:35 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
“CALL TO Arms: The Soldier and the Revolutionary War” is a powerful new 5,000-sq.-ft. exhibition at the National Museum of the United States Army.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Memorial Day features rucking with a mission
Updated: May 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
All Vets hosted the Henry County Memorial Ruck to highlight the importance of the holiday
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Navy veteran dedicated to duty and discipline
Updated: Apr. 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Joseph Rae is a Navy veteran, martial arts Sensei, and a sheriff’s deputy.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Golf tournament raises funds for wounded veterans
Updated: Mar. 27, 2025 at 3:36 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Wayne Zellers Memorial Tournament named after United States Air Force Vietnam veteran.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Veteran’s legacy still reigns 15 years after his passing
Updated: Feb. 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Steven Jesse Bishop died in Iraq from blood clots in 2010 but his family still tells his life story.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Veteran organization celebrates nonprofit status and expands its services
Updated: Jan. 30, 2025 at 3:05 PM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
‘All Vets’ works to honor the fallen and strengthen the living through physical fitness and wellness
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Virginia veteran, mom of three, writes Christmas book
Updated: Dec. 26, 2024 at 1:10 PM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Army veteran Beverly Orange just published a children’s Christmas book about a bear that discovers the holiday.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
Virginia woman shares Gold Star experience
Updated: Dec. 13, 2024 at 2:42 PM EST
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By
Melissa Gaona
Anita Carroll may not have worn a military uniform, but she served her country as a daughter and wife of those who served.
Hometown Veterans: Honoring our Heroes
72-year-old Army and Air Force veteran still actively serving his community
Updated: Sep. 26, 2024 at 3:01 PM EDT
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By
Melissa Gaona
Gene Malinowski currently serves as the Commander for the largest veteran service organization in the world
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