SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – News 3 is taking a closer look at the lives and service of the men named the 2024 Chatham County Veterans Day Parade grand marshal and Veteran of the Year.
Edward Gizara was shocked but honored to be named Veteran of the Year. The same goes for Grand Marshal Mike Brady.
Both were honored at Friday's Chatham County Commission meeting with proclamations.
Gizara spent 16 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
"I love God. I love my country, and then I love my Corps. So I will stick with those until the day I die," Gizara said.
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He was dedicated to serve for life, so much so that he went back to finish basic training in 1985 after a knee injury two years before.
"I was going for life. I loved being in the Marine Corps. I love the camaraderie. I love the people. And that's why I'm still in the Marine Corps League today to keep that camaraderie going," Gizara said.
He spent much of his time overseas in Okinawa, Japan, and in the 2nd Marine Division with combat engineers.
At one point, Gizara was paralyzed from the chest down. The injury ended his military service, but his community service continued. And, he never gave up hope that he would walk again.
"It took me nine months to take my first step, and I beat all the doctors' odds. And I promised, 'God, if you get me through this, and you allow me to walk, I will give myself to you in helping others,'" he said.
Now, he spends his time giving back to others, particularly the homeless population.
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Brady is also a servant in the community. He served as adjutant for 13 years, performing many of the behind-the-scenes duties for the Veterans Day parade.
"I think to be a veteran and to be honored this way is really something really special to me," Brady said.
A Vietnam veteran, Brady also shared his appreciation for the camaraderie he had in the U.S. Air Force.
"I remember those people very well, even the people that I wasn't around that much. Just the people itself, that's what I enjoyed," Brady said.
He still carries the training and the discipline he gained from his time serving.
"You just learn how to be disciplined about everything and respect everything. You respect your peers, and you respect the people under you," he said.
Veterans Council Chairman Joe Higgins talked about how important it is to recognize these two vets.
"It's awesome to be able to do that for those guys, because they'll never look for that recognition," he said. "They just want to do go about their thing, and I want them to come out and be seen, because as many people leading the organizations, you've got to have twice as many behind the scenes getting all the stuff done."