The interview: Dr. Barry Booth

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WALA) - Dr. Barry Booth was Fairhope's 2011 Veteran of the Year, but he has touched the lives of many far beyond the Eastern Shore city and the Gulf Coast.  The Spanish Fort dentist participates in several projects that reach out to U.S. military veterans and their families.  

He recently shared how his humble beginnings, his mother and Vietnam, all influence what he does today.  

"My Vietnam experiences, it was certainly a benchmark in my life.  It was the excitement of being, of being a part of what was going on at that time, and I wanted to see it, live it, be a part of it," said Booth.

Booth's Vietnam experience helped mold him into who he has become.

The West Virginia native learned a lot from his mother, observing her survival skills as she moved him and his two brothers around the country, working clerical jobs to sustain their family.

"I have the advantage of experience in somewhat disadvantaged ways, but I call it experience. My mother, she gave me self confidence and perseverance, and a you can do it attitude and also you're gonna do it attitude," Booth shares.

After graduating high school in South Carolina, Booth's mother gave him instructions and pointed him to Auburn University.  

"The only thing I had to say to my mom was, ‘Yes ma'am.’ I took off," said Booth.

He hitchhiked to the campus in Alabama.  Booth said he arrived with empty pockets, but he had the great attitude his mother gave him and a desire to succeed.

"The enthusiasm and attitude of the person goes a long way in gaining assistance and help and guidance.  Various people through the years of my growing up helped me. They saw I was someone that was trying to make their way.  They gave me not just material help, but knowledge and advice and counsel, good counsel.  When I look back on it, I’m very appreciative, very grateful," Dr. Booth shared with visible emotions.

"In 1962, I signed up for the U.S. Navy at the advice of Dr. David Greer a great mentor, there was no patriotism involved. I was looking forward to getting into private practice of dentistry.  In 1966, I went on active duty with the Navy, I signed with the Marine Corps in San Diego, then to Camp Pendleton, in California, then on to Vietnam. I was a dentis, assigned to the Navy in Da Nang," said Booth.

"I had no military background; I had no sense of patriotism at the moment. But, going to Vietnam being a part of the military and being able to understand the intangible bond that veterans have change me and that I can feel now.  Knowing people who have served their nation in uniform is very dear to me and important to me.”

Years later, his sense of patriotism led Dr. Booth back to the Marines following the tragic events of 9/11.     He went to the recruiting office to sign up for military service.

"The awful tragedy of  9/11, I tried to join the Marines at age 60, and I made them officially turn me down," Booth said.

Considered by many a true patriot, Booth participates in what he calls a noble cause, the South Alabama Honor Flight. 

"I'm very proud to be a part of it, to see those faces of those World War II veterans when they come in at the Mobile Regional Airport (is) unbelievable. To play a part in it has been a very important milestone in my life.  I feel so grateful to be a part of the project that carries the veterans to their Memorial in Washington, D.C.  In that, it is made our life, so many of us, truly worthwhile because we've done something positive for a noble cause and I say that all the time, and I mean it," said  Booth.

"The U.S.S. Alabama Battleship is important for veterans. It is a national emblem,and memorial for those who have only just not served on the Alabama but all Veterans, and the generations to come," Booth said.

Former Alabama Governor Bob Riley appointed Booth to the Battleship Alabama Commission.  The bond he has with fellow Vietnam Veterans led him to personally contribute to the Memorial Park.

"I played a part in developing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial there and designing and building the bracelet, the P.O.W.  bracelet that's there that is closest to me, very meaningful," said Booth.

South Alabama needed a cemetery with room to bury its veterans. This part of the state has not had one for nearly 50 years. The new Baldwin County site is on land Booth initially bought for his family.

"That land had been purchased for my children and my grandchildren. I went to my family, and I said that we have an opportunity to once again, to honor those who have served our nation and they readily jumped on board.  We're very glad as a family, very happy to play a part in the State Veterans Cemetery in Spanish Fort," he said.

Dr. Booth said opportunities to contribute and serve are a part of living his dream.

"I like to indicate to the young people, they should be obligated to find a niche and in some manner serve their nation because we are the beneficiaries of those who've gone before us that have given us the opportunity to make choices and