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When a veteran receives lost or forgotten military medals and awards years after his service, the ceremony often takes place quietly. But not for Damon Conrad Alberty and Robert Clyde Martin.

Thanks to their families, both men received long-deserved medals in two surprise ceremonies during the weekend.

Alberty, 83, was presented with his medals Friday at Mountain Side Restaurant in Mayodan.

Martin, 85, was presented with his medals Sunday at his church, Dan River Wesleyan in Eden.

'You wonder how you made it'

Alberty was only 16 when he entered the Army. He speaks about his time as a Japanese prisoner of war - three years and nine months - as if it were yesterday.

He remembers helping bury his fellow prisoners 200 to a grave and naked. He recalls the everyday meal of rice and fish soup. To get needed iron, he put rusty nails in jars of water and let it sit a few days before drinking it.

Alberty survived the Bataan Death March, the move of 75,000 American and Filipino war prisoners to camps after the Battle of Bataan during World War II. He can still recite his prisoner number - 834 - in Japanese.

"You look back sometimes," Alberty said. "You wonder how you made it."

What Alberty endured for his country left a lasting impression on nephew O.R. "Ed" Barham Jr. Alberty lived with Barham's family after his discharge from the Army, and he was like a second father to Barham.

"It was hard to imagine and think about the things he'd suffered through," Barham said.

Barham, CEO of StellarOne commercial bank in Charlottesville, Va., met Anthony Reed, an ambassador at-large with the U.S. Army Reserve, at a party. Conversation turned to how his uncle had never formally received his war medals. Reed felt it was time to rectify that.

The awards and medals that Reed presented to Alberty on Friday included two Purple Hearts and the Combat Infrantryman Badge, which Reed said was the most sought badge for an Army soldier. Alberty also received the Welcome Home Warrior Citizen Award, which usually is reserved for reserve soldiers returning home from Iraq or Afghanistan.

Originally, Alberty had planned to receive his medals in February, but he suffered a stroke just days before the ceremony.

"It's been a long road, a hard road," Alberty told the family members and friends who gathered to celebrate with him Friday, "but I made it."

An honor and a surprise

It was hard to tell who was more excited Sunday, Clyde Martin or his wife of 59 years, Ada.

Throughout the brief church service that Clyde Martin thought was to honor veterans, his wife sat next to him, beamed and periodically patted his knee.

When Eden Mayor John Grogan called him up to the pulpit to accept a proclamation, the surprise on Clyde Martin's face was evident. But it wouldn't be the only time during the day he was surprised.

"Mr. Martin, we're not through with you today," U.S. Rep. Brad Miller told him Sunday.

Miller presented Martin with a Purple Heart for being injured during the Battle of Iwo Jima, the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze stars, the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with one bronze star, and the Combat Action Ribbon, among others.

"It was the greatest shock in my life. I had no idea whatsoever," said Martin, a Marine veteran.

Dan River Wesleyan substituted its usual church service for the program honoring Martin. Martin has been a member of the church since its beginnings 60 years ago.

Martin's wife and daughter, Cindy Edwards, had been working with Miller's office since last fall to get the medals.

Sallie Melendez, constituent services representative for Miller's Greensboro office, said Miller is routinely contacted about helping veterans get their medals.

But having an entire community come together to celebrate one veteran was a different situation, she said.

"It's a big deal. I've never had the opportunity to participate in something like this," Melendez said, "but working with them ignited my enthusiasm.''

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com

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