Attendees at Friday’s weekly Support the Troops Rally at Monument Terrace in Lynchburg had an extra occasion to commemorate as the Lynchburg Area Veterans Council also celebrated Desmond T. Doss Day.
In 2019, then-Mayor Treney Tweedy declared every Oct. 12 going forward would be celebrated in Lynchburg as Desmond T. Doss Day, recognizing the heroic efforts of Doss, a Lynchburg native who served as a combat medic during World War II, saving at least 75 lives in the Battle of Okinawa.
Doss, because of his faith as a Seventh-day Adventist, was a conscientious objector who refused to kill an enemy soldier or carry a weapon into combat. His story was famously portrayed in the movie “Hacksaw Ridge,” which was directed by Mel Gibson and which won two Academy awards in 2017.
The date of Oct. 12 was chosen because it was the day in 1945 when President Harry S. Truman bestowed the Medal of Honor upon Doss.
At Friday’s ceremony, Ward II City Councilman Sterling Wilder, who represents the ward where Doss’ childhood home is located, read the proclamation Tweedy made in 2019. The former Doss house now serves as a home for formerly homeless veterans.
“It’s such an honor to be here today,” Wilder said. “I appreciate all the work you do, coming here every Friday, regardless of the weather, regardless of the conditions, you are supporting our troops and we really appreciate that.”
