By Lisa Penland
Guest Writer
The loss of a loved one is never easy, but the loss of a child is heartbreaking. Two sisters and their families share this heartbreak but are turning that heartbreak into honoring the sons they lost.
William Jason Dyer was 10 years old when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in May 1987. Jason fought the battle as the cancer raged inside of him, but he never lost his zest for life or love for others. Jason showed this family how to live life to the fullest, but in his last days Jason informed his family of one request — to never forget him. Jason passed away on May 26, 1988, after a 13-month battle with leukemia. Jason’s parents Bill and Lois Dyer knew they had to honor their promise to keep Jason’s memory alive, and so the first annual elderly Thanksgiving dinner was held in November 1988.
Leon Reece Penland, Jr., the son of Leon and Irene Penland was a bright 21-year-old young man who was a member of the 210th National Guard in Murphy. Reece was wanted to serve his country in the most honorable way a young man could, to assist those in need through the guard.
Reece’s company was called up to help assist the victims of Hurricane Floyd in September 1999. Reece had asked his sergeant if he could pull double duty, so that he would not have to go and sit in the motel rooms. The sergeant granted Reece’s request and sent him on patrol to monitor citizens who were on the beach after curfew was in place. The Humvee Reece was driving crashed on a washed-out beach on Oak Island, N.C. Reece was thrown from the Humvee and killed instantly. Even though Reece didn’t die on foreign soil, he died on American soil serving his fellow Americans.
Two sisters Lois Dyer and Irene Penland and their families are honoring their sons and keeping their memory alive through service to others. On Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, the memory of Jason Dyer and Leon Reece Penland will be honored at the 34th Annual Elderly Thanksgiving Dinner at Faith Tabernacle Church. The dinners are free to all veterans past and present, elderly citizens and families in need. The dinner includes turkey and all fixings. Serving time starts at 11 a.m.
For information about the dinner, call Lois Dyer at 389-9825. Come out and enjoy a wonderful meal and learn about these two young men.