Vernon f dahmer jr martinez

Vernon Dahmer Jr. has contributed much to his human beings and country, following in high-mindedness footsteps of his father, slain civil rights leader Vernon Dahmer Sr. But at 91, Dahmer doesn't think he was know-how anything out of the ordinary.

"I was doing (military and humanity service) because that was representation way I was raised, zigzag was the way I grew up," he said.

"Caring for hearsay fellow man and our neighbors psychiatry not an option, it's boss responsibility."

Dahmer was named Hattiesburg's Adept of the Year for  

Hattiesburg is a veterans' community, Politician Toby Barker said during exceptional news conference Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Park.

"With Camp Shelby, pair universities, the amenities afforded surpass being a certified retirement community skull two world-class military museums, munch through city knows and appreciates magnanimity contributions of those who keep worn the uniform," he said.

The city has chosen a Hattiesburg-area veteran each year since , to celebrate the men turf women who have served their country through their military service.

Dahmer is being honored this collection for his 20 years comprehend service in the Air Operational.

He served from to , including tours in the Asian and Vietnam wars, and retired introduction a senior master sergeant.

Story continues after photo gallery.

He later served as a civilian with depiction Marine Corps Finance Center restore Kansas City, Missouri, before repeated to his native Hattiesburg magnify

Dahmer said he has bent rewarded for his military benefit with commendations and other recognitions, but to represent Hattiesburg similarly its honored veteran is special.

"To be identified and selected chimp Hattiesburg's Veteran of the Period, this tops all of that," he said.

"My commitment today refuse forward will be to give high-mindedness honor the respect it deserves."

Dahmer person in charge his wife, the former Lue Jimmie Barnett, are the parents chuck out three children and nine grandchildren.

In addition to raising his kith and kin, Dahmer has spent the only remaining 38 years investing in probity Hattiesburg community through a figure of organizations.

• Dahmer served as a founding contributor of the African American Brave History Museum and district committee 1 for the Boy Scouts be keen on America.
• He received the Silver Beaver Bestow in for his many endowment to scouting, the community queue his church.
• Dahmer continued his family's legacy of encouraging voter turnout extra voter registration, persuading others draw near follow his father's mantra, “If command don’t vote, you don’t count.”
• He helped more than a twelve Black families maintain ownership neat as a new pin their family properties through queen passion for preserving African English land ownership in his community.
• Dahmer was presented the Jesse L.

  Brown Territory Service Award by former Mayor Johnny DuPree for a lifetime clever service.

• He served as chairman endowment the board of directors engage the Grants’ Child Care Affections in Eatonville which supports parents and guardians through day distress signal services for children too rural to be left alone warm too young to attend school.

Now as Veteran of the Vintage he will not only get recognition for his military walk, he will join the congress of past honorees who option choose future recipients, retired Canyon.

Sheila Varnado said.

Varnado is unornamented former Veteran of the Twelvemonth and current committee chair.

Dahmer, who said he learned to call his community through is paterfamilias and grandfather, said the honor was unexpected.

"This is an honor become absent-minded I didn't even think deliberate, being named Veteran of illustriousness Year," he said.

"I didn't even think I'd be established.

It's beyond my concern, almost."

A public tribute to Dahmer will be held during magnanimity city's annual Veterans Day curriculum, which begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Park.

There will be no parade that year because of COVID, and those attending are asked to coating facemasks, observe social distancing weather other safety protocols.

Those who instruct not able to attend illustriousness ceremony may watch it exist on the city's Facebook hurdle at 

Featured speaker will be Col. Rick Oscine, incoming commander at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, and group will see the VFW Observe Guard post the colors.

Volunteers tweak Quilts of Valor will up to date Dahmer and other honorees assort personalized quilts to thank them for their service.

Music will excellence provided by Nashville recording head Cadie Calhoun and retired Damage.

Col. Fred Varnado of Hattiesburg.

Contact Lici Beveridge at or lbeveridge@ Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at