Faith Hosts Walk for Heroes to Honor First Responders and Veterans

The annual Walk for Heroes event took place in Faith this year, continuing its mission to honor first responders and veterans for their sacrifices. The event, organized by the Walk for Heroes President Brenda Feathers, successfully relocated from Salisbury City Park to Faith Legion Park, where community support remained strong.

Feathers expressed gratitude towards the local government, highlighting the warm welcome from Mayor Randall Barger. “Faith has been really great,” she said during Saturday’s event. “They invited me to the town board to suggest working here, and they approved it.” The mayor has been instrumental in facilitating the transition, which aimed to enhance community engagement with the event.

The Walk for Heroes featured a half-mile procession through the town, drawing numerous local officials and community members. Before the walk commenced, Feathers shared her personal journey, which has shaped her commitment to addressing mental health challenges among veterans and first responders. She recounted her past as a special education teacher, where she experienced a traumatic incident that resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Through therapy, Feathers has been able to transform her life. “Thankfully, because of therapy, the trauma I can now talk about without it triggering problems,” she stated. “That has been truly a blessing to me. I am able to share my story and talk about how PTSD once owned my life, and it does not anymore.” This personal metamorphosis fuels her passion for helping others facing similar struggles.

While the event’s relocation presents new opportunities, Feathers acknowledged challenges in growth compared to previous years. “I feel like we changed. We came here hoping we would grow because Faith is so big on veterans,” she reflected. “I’m really not feeling that we grew compared to last year, but this is the first year here, so it is kind of like we are backing up and punting.” She remains hopeful for future events, recalling that the second year in Salisbury saw a doubling in size.

Barger shares Feathers’ enthusiasm, noting the importance of the event in highlighting Faith’s patriotic spirit. “I have been working with them since they started having meetings, and they are so passionate about what they’re doing,” he said. “Our Fourth of July is known in a lot of places… I don’t think that you could find another place in Rowan County with a reputation for being as patriotic.”

In addition to the Walk for Heroes, Faith will also host the Veterans Day Parade later this year, marking another significant event for the community. “We are available and more than willing to help anybody who wants to do something here in Faith,” Barger confirmed.

Recognizing local heroes was a key part of Saturday’s festivities. Among those honored was Sgt. Jerry Davis, a veteran of the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office with over 40 years of service. Davis has also served in the military, receiving two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for his bravery during the Vietnam War. He reflected on his experiences with a pragmatic outlook, stating, “You live life. You go through it day by day and do the best you can on a daily basis.”

Davis was formally recognized by John Howard for his lifelong dedication to serving his country and community. He was not alone in this honor; Captain Henry Alexander Parham of the Atwell Volunteer Fire Department received accolades for his bravery during a shooting incident while responding to a medical call.

Also recognized were Jeff Watts, president of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club Chapter 14, for organizing a fundraising ride for the Walk for Heroes, and Deputy Zachery Holshouser, who was injured while breaking up a fight at the Cheerwine Festival. Furthermore, Sgts. Meredith Walker and Adam Bouk of the Salisbury Police Department were honored for their contributions to the Special Olympics.

The Walk for Heroes is supported by various local sponsors, including the Law Offices of Wallace and Graham, Scallywags, and the Red Knights-Chapter 14. The organization expressed its gratitude for the community’s backing, highlighting the importance of collaboration in supporting first responders and veterans.

To learn more about the Walk for Heroes and its initiatives, visit www.walkforheroes.org.