Army veteran's walking sticks help wounded stand tall

ND couple honored for helping military veterans
By DAVE KOLPACK
Associated Press Writer , The Associated Press - MAYVILLE, N.D.

A North Dakota man who has crafted hundreds of walking sticks for wounded veterans says he's looking forward to the day when his services are no longer needed.

"The war's not going to be over," Dennis Enger said Friday after he and his wife were honored in a surprise ceremony at the Mayville VFW. "I wish it would be over tomorrow morning so I could quit. But I'll keep on."

Enger, a retired tree trimmer and Army veteran, started the project about four years ago as a way to help fellow soldiers. The first package to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center contained only three sticks, but he was so touched by the reaction from veterans and their families he kept on carving.

He has since finished about 400 sticks.

"They're known as Grandma and Grandpa Walking Stick out there at Walter Reed," said Dan Stenvold, of Park River, the president of the North Dakota Vietnam Veterans of America who has helped deliver the sticks to the Washington, D.C., hospital.
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ND couple honored for helping military veterans