LT. Colonel Dalton Harold Barnes

Description:

LT. Colonel Barnes, deceased, Alma, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, WWII and Korea, and Vietnam. Awards include two Bronze Star medals, the Air medal, the Army Commendation medal and the WWII Victory medal. He established the Home of Hope, a residential care and counseling center in Alma.

His story is simply  amazing. Born into obscure property, he enlisted and started his journey of military service. He was honored with many awards and medals. His last tour of Duty was Vietnam. He worked tirelessly to put soldiers' lives back together. He counseled hundreds going through difficult times. He was a beloved Chaplain. His most heartbreaking story was a stark reminder how our country felt about US veterans then and how we feel today has a nation. As he  said his goodbyes to his men, and made his final trek back to America, he was asked to change from his uniform to civilian before he got to the San Francisco airport so it would not offend people. He left that scene in tears and never got over that.

Not only did he serve in the Army but he also served in the Air Force from 1949-1953. Dr. Barnes received the bronze star in 1970 and retired from active duty in 1975, when he became the chaplain for the Oklahoma City Police Department. His service there was highly decorated. He retired from that duty and came to Alma, Arkansas. He became a full-time counselor for the First Baptist Church.  There he helped the church create the Home of Hope. A residential care and Counseling Center, he retired for a third time.

Dr. Barnes was not done yet, even though in his 80s he became a volunteer for the Alma Boys and Girls Club. Each afternoon even sit with boys and girls whose home lives were in shambles. Many times he used his own money to assist the child in need. He loved his military Heritage and carried out to the fullest a  for God and Country. He was a patriot that never stopped caring about the returning vets.

More Info:

LT. Colonel Barnes, deceased, Alma, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, WWII and Korea, and Vietnam. Awards include two Bronze Star medals, the Air medal, the Army Commendation medal and the WWII Victory medal. He established the Home of Hope, a residential care and counseling center in Alma.