The most highly decorated American World War I soldier was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in 1975 with a small marker that barely noted his time in service. This Veterans Day, American Legion Post 51 unveiled a monument to mark Lieutenant Colonel Samuel I. "SI" Parker's grave and note his awards and how he got them. Photographer Marty Price was there to capture the moments an images.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Vietnam veterans, from left, Wayne Agee (US Navy), Ron Frawley (US Army) and John Stanley (US Army) enjoy a stroll to the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Vietnam veterans, from left, John Stanley (US Army),Wayne Agee (US Navy) and Ron Frawley (US Army) enjoy a stroll to the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Jake Newman, 1st Vice Commander and Director of the American Legion Riders for Post 51 of Concord greets guests before the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Jake Newman, 1st Vice Commander and Director of the American Legion Riders for Post 51 of Concord greets guests before the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
A custom Vietnam theme painting on the gas tank and cover on this Harley-Davidson 2004 Classic Trike owned by Jack Ward, American Legion Riders NC Dept. Rider Chairman, was parked during the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Wayne Agee, left (US Navy) mingles before the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
County Commissioner Barbara Strang, right, red coat, stands with the crowd during the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
The 208th Army Reserve Band out of Concord played during the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
2nd Vice Commander Judy Tarbox, left, and Jack Ward, American Legion Riders NC Dept. Rider Chairman, pose for a quick photo before the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
American Legion Riders salute and hold the hands over their hearts during the presentation of the colors at the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Past Post 51 Commander Ron Frawley (US Army) salutes as the colors are presented during the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Past Post 51 Commander Ron Frawley (U.S. Army) salutes as the colors are presented during the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veterans Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
John Stanley (US Army), right, salutes the flag during the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Jack Ward, American Legion Riders NC Dept. Rider Chairman, speaks to the crowd during the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Jack Ward, American Legion Riders NC Dept. Rider Chairman, speaks to the crowd during the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
A member of the audience holds a poppy with the words "In Memoriam" on the tag during the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veterans Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
A veteran stands next to one of the gravestones that has a flag next to it as past Post 51 Commander Ron Frawley (US Army) speaks during the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
County Commissioner Barbara Strang, left, red coat, stands with American Legion Riders and veterans during the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Great grand-nephew Chip Brooks, right, helps grand-nephew (married into the family) Carrell Brooks, second from right, as he addresses the crowd during the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Great-grand-nephew Chip Brooks, third from right, pulls away the covering as grand-nephew (married into the family) Carrell Brooks, right, and Vietnam Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Col. Joe Marm, left, next to monument, look on during the unveiling.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Vietnam Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Col. Joe Marm, left, reaches out to the monument as grand-nephew (married into the family) Carrell Brooks, right watches during the unveiling.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Vietnam Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Col. Joe Marm, left, salutes next to the monument as grand-nephew (married into the family) Carrell Brooks, right, watches during the unveiling.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Local veterans salute during the dedication ceremony for the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veterans Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
Vietnam Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Col. Joe Marm, left, salutes during the unveiling of the monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veterans Day.
Monument Dedication for Samuel I. Parker
The monument placed in tribute to World War I hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Samuel I. Parker. The ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Concord on Thursday morning to honor this local hero on Veteran's Day.
Nearly 50 years after his death, a Medal of Honor recipient and decorated WWI soldier was given a full monument on his grave noting his service.Â
