HOGANSVILLE — Leon Dyes, a retired Marine and purple heart recipient, was named American Legion Post No. 152’s Veteran of the Year Friday in Hogansville.

Dyes was given the honor during the annual Veterans Day Celebration at Calvin Hipp Park in downtown Hogansville.

“It is an honor and a privilege to win this award,” Dyes said. “It was an honor and privilege to serve my country, and if I had it to do all over, I’d do it the same way.”

Dyes served in the Marines from 1966-1972 and was injured in the Battle of Hue, one of the deadliest battles of the Vietnam War.

“I was out of high school and I knew I wasn’t going to college,” Dyes said. “I didn’t want to get drafted in the army so I joined the Marine Corps.”

Dyes wasn’t the only veteran honored.

Navy veteran Bobby Langford received his 40-year pin from the American Legion, and Hogansville Councilman George Bailey, who helped organize Friday’s event, received his 10-year pin.

Mary Torres, the wife of a Navy veteran, was also thanked for all she’s done for the American Legion over the years.

Leon Aaron, a veterans’ employment representative for the Georgia Department of Labor, was the guest speaker.

“To all of you veterans, I really admire everything that you have given to our country and still to continue to do. You cannot measure enough of the pride that I have shaking the hand of a veteran,” Aaron said. “There’s a tingling I get in my heart to give that thanks.”

The American Legion also donated $75 to the police department’s canned food drive, which provides meals to families during Thanksgiving and the holidays. Police Chief Brian Harr said last year’s canned food drive provided 60 meals to families in Hogansville.

Harr said the police department partners with The Active Life Center and Hogansville Elementary for the canned food drive each year