The story below appeared in The Herald-Dispatch on Tuesday, November 11, 2003.

1st Lt. Dan Bailey of Kenova accepted recognition modestly Monday night from the City of Kenova for his service in the military.

For the second year in a row, the city had a Veterans Day celebration in city council chambers to recognize veterans.

"It’s an honor to be here," Bailey told members of the C-K Alumni Band, council members and others present at the ceremony. "It’s an honor to wear this uniform. It’s an honor to be a member of this family and the community. We are a family in Kenova."

Council President Ric Griffith and council members Ted Rakes and Don Robinson read about 200 names from the Book of Remembrance of veterans who were residents of Kenova when they served.

Bailey, 28, is a Buffalo High School graduate who was deployed with the 478th Engineering Battalion in support of Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom from February to August 2003. His military decorations include Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

"We live well here and sometimes beyond our means," Bailey said recalling some of the people and places he had seen overseas. "We have a lot given to us and a lot taken for granted. That’s one thing this reaffirmed for me."

Bailey’s wife, Elizabeth, and his mother, Carla Kilgore Cook, were also at the ceremony. He has a son, Caleb Daniel, 9.

Cook said throughout the ceremony she also kept in mind Bailey’s first cousin, Emmitt Adkins II of Spring Valley, who is still serving in Iraq.

Griffith also recognized Chet Napier, a Kenova police officer, who attended the ceremony and served in Operation Anaconda as a senior airman.

"I appreciate the community and Ric to take the time to do something," Bailey said. "Many don’t see this in bigger communities to recognize people."

Bailey works for the U.S. Corps of Engineers and teaches a class at Marshall University’s Community and Technical College. He is working on a master of science degree in environmental engineering.

"What have I done to be here? Nothing," Bailey said addressing those present. "I felt a calling to be a part of this Army the United States. … I want you to pray for those 130,000 in the U.S. Armed Forces over there. … This uniform represents a lot of different things to a lot of different people. To me it represents honor and pride."

Mayor Trey Morrone welcomed veterans and community members who attended the ceremony before Bailey spoke. The C-K Alumni Band played several patriotic pieces throughout.

Griffith asks anyone who knows of a veteran who was a resident of Kenova while he or she served to come by the Municipal Building to fill out a form for the Book of Remembrance. For more information, call (304) 453-1571.