ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, November 30, 1996 TAG: 9612020034
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: in religion
SOURCE: MARY LOU BRUTON
Some friends of Nelson Hale want to say "thank you" to a man they see as a local hero.
Hale's been visible for years as an emergency medical technician for the Floyd County Rescue Squad.
But that's not his only role.
For a retiree in his early 70s who's had open heart surgery and a mild stroke, Hale is uncommonly active.
Ford Wirt, director of Floyd County's emergency services, calls him "an extraordinary man." Hale volunteers to spend most of his time and energy to help others. At Station 3 in the Pilot community, Hale has received the Captain's Award for several years for answering the most calls in the area. He is almost always on call at the station, night and day. In this area between Pilot and Check, trips to hospitals can take an average of two hours.
Hale's abilities as a medical technician have been with him for a long time. In World War II he served in the medical corps in Europe.
Hale is an active member of the Check Ruritan Club and is involved in its community-improvement projects.
Hale and his wife, Glada, have raised three children on their 75-acre farm, which they have maintained since 1943. Sons Dewey and John live in Roanoke, and their daughter and son-in-law, Martha Ann and Danny Thompson, are Check residents.
Hale has been a member of Havens Chapel United Methodist Church since 1955. The Rev. Larry Stevens hasn't been there that long, but he also thinks Hale is extraordinary. Hale "is the key to the good things that happen at Havens Chapel," Stevens said. He counts on Hale's dependability at church committee meetings. "Nelson tends to look at all sides of the issue. In discussions, he can be calm, cool and collected."
Hale has served his church for many years on "every committee," Stevens said. For many years, he has taught adult Sunday school. A member of that class and a neighbor, Clinton Poage, said Hale is "the most valuable person we have in the community. Nelson is a kind person, willing to help anyone." Another class member and longtime friend, Wesley Wimmer, said sometimes an emergency call will take Hale out of the Sunday school classroom. His church family then realizes what an example their teacher shows them about being a good Samaritan.
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The Mass Choir of First Baptist Church, 1730 West St., Radford, will be celebrating its 19th anniversary at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. The singers will present "For His Praise." The guest speaker at the 125-year-old church will be the Rev. Zerander Hughes and his choir from St. Paul Baptist Church in Forest. The public is invited.
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Cornerstone Pentecostal Holiness Church, 201 W. College St., Narrows, will begin its revival at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Shirley Jones will be the guest speaker. Services continue at 7 p.m. each evening through Wednesday.
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The Rev. M. Anderson Sale, of the Presbytery of the Peaks based in Lynchburg, will speak at 11 a.m. Dec. 9 at First Presbyterian Church, 408 N. Jefferson Ave. in Pulaski. The luncheon program, sponsored by Presbyterian Women, is open to the public. Sale was pastor of the Pulaski church from 1978 to 1983. He then became a church executive in Missouri and returned to Virginia earlier this year. His theme will be "Challenges Facing the Church."
LENGTH: Medium: 66 linesby CNB