Ride For Life: WWII vet with ALS receives medals 57 years after discharge

They called him a faithful soldier who served his country in World War II, but he never received the medals he was owed until Thursday.

Fifty-seven years after his discharge from the Army, Dr. Walter Fremont took home five military medals and a pin. His ceremony was in a recreation room decorated with American flags at Bob Jones University's Barge Memorial Hospital.

Fremont, who arrived in a motorized wheelchair, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease 22 years ago. The average life expectancy from the time of diagnosis is two to five years, according to the ALS Association.

"He asked for 15 more years when he was diagnosed," his wife, Trudy Fremont, said. "But he's had a bit more than that."

Fremont, 79, helped protect pipelines and supply lines in the Army from 1943 to 1946, said Randy Dunn, a family friend.

The medals recognized his service, including time in Germany.

Fremont later taught at Bob Jones University and was the school's dean of education for 37 years. He wrote books and conducted seminars, influencing "thousands and thousands of students and pastors," Dunn said.

"He loved to serve our country just as much as he loved to serve the Lord," he said.

Fremont laughed out loud when he saw his surprise. Red, white and blue streamers hung from the ceiling. His children, grandchildren and friends sat at tables decorated with U.S. flags as a boom box tapped out patriotic music.

When his wife set the shadowbox on his lap, he looked up and kissed her on the lips.

Lou Gehrig's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects voluntary muscle control. While the disease paralyzes the body, the mind stays sharp, according to the ALS Association.

Mary Lyon, the association's vice president of patient services, said researchers are still trying to understand why some victims live longer than others. No national register is kept, so it's unknown who has lived the longest with the disease, she said.

"It is a remarkable achievement for this gentleman to have survived," Lyon said.

The shadowbox that holds the medals was given to him by his daughter, Elaine Fremont, who died in a 1995 car wreck at 42 years old, Trudy Fremont said. The medals came through with the help of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Dunn said.

While the half-hour ceremony came less than two weeks before Veteran's Day, friends didn't forget Fremont's educational accomplishments.

Rep. Glenn Hamilton, R-Taylors, said God has given Fremont "a great heart for young people." He has helped them put their lives back together, Hamilton said.

"You make this world ? not just this country ? a better place," he said