It’s not everyday that one gets to meet a true American Hero, but that exact thing happened to me Thursday during the Vicksburg Rotary Club meeting.

Former WWE wrestler, Clinton High School and Mississippi College grad Ted DiBiase Jr. spoke about his desire to serve the Lord and do the right thing with his life. DiBiase also talked about his work with the Warrior Bonfire Project.

The idea for the Warrior Bonfire Project happened when Dan Fordice was talking to U.S Army SFC Chuck Williams, when Williams commented that he could spend a full day with a PhD certified counselor and not come close to the therapeutic value of sitting around a bonfire with five or six guys who were there. Fordice responded, “We will provide the bonfire.” The project was launched in January 2013.

DiBiase was an emotional speaker and I witnessed several men crying, but I won’t mention names. However great a wrestler he was and a person DiBiase is, I’m not referring to him. I’m referring to the man he mentioned a few times during his speech.

After DiBiase finished speaking, Hunter Fordice introduced a man who has devoted his life to serving his country.

He introduced U.S. Army MSGT Michael Chesney. Chesney spent 25 years in the Army, 16 of those at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He spent nine years in the 5th Special Forces and seven years with the ultra-secretive Delta Force.

Chesney served nine tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. Along the way he collected two purple hearts along with numerous other medals and citations. Hunter Fordice introduced him as a true American Hero and for the second time the room rose to their feet and applauded the selflessness of a man we had never met before.

His love of country is so strong; Chesney would go back for another tour in a war zone if the Army would let him.

Not many people would do what Chesney has done. I didn’t get his full story when I shook his hand, but I’m sure his service has come with tremendous personal sacrifice.

DiBiase quoted an author and pastor when he said, “The dream is free, but the journey is not.”

The American Dream is not free; it has been bought by the blood and sacrifice of so many men like Chesney. Many of those men paid the ultimate price.

Our returning veterans deserve better than what they are receiving. If you’re looking to give back in any way you can I would recommend the Warrior Bonfire Project. I’ve heard many stories of the healing it’s done in our veterans’ lives and it was started right here in Vicksburg. Hooah!

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Paul Barry is the managing editor and can be reached by email at paul.barry@vicksburgpost.com or by phone at 601-636-4545 ext. 123.