SPRING LAKE — Take a drive through this town and you will find state artist Max Dowdle’s “Home of the Airborne” mural proudly displayed on the Beatitude House on Main Street and the “Special Forces” mural along the Stitch-In-Time business just down from the State Veterans Cemetery on Fort Bragg.
David Dickerhoff’s fingerprints are all over the murals.
“I want to improve the reputation of our little town of Spring Lake, so that we are seen as more than a bedroom community to Fort Bragg,” says Dickerhoff, 69, once an 82nd Airborne paratrooper and now owner of Spring Lake Dental Group, the practice where Dickerhoff has an affinity for active duty and retired military veterans who call Spring Lake home.
As a member of the Spring Lake & Sustainability Committee, Dickerhoff put his vision, time, and money into reminding residents and visitors about our men and women present and past, who serve or have served on the neighboring military base.
“I thought it was appropriate,” Dickerhoff said about the murals.
Dickerhoff knows the life of military service, himself a soldier who once served as a medic in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, where he was awarded the Bronze Star during the liberation of Kuwait City.
He left his military career behind and opened his dental practice in 1996, but he never has lost his heart for the American soldier or the sacrifices our military men and women make for a nation’s freedom.
“I watched the twin towers going down, and kids going to Afghanistan,” he said about Sept. 11, 2001, when al-Qaeda terrorists attacked the World Trade Center towers in New York City, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pa., resulting in the Global War on Terror. “It blows my mind how they keep a family together.
“They come back and go on to another deployment. It’s an amazing thing.
“Being a soldier,” Dickerhoff said, “is a noble thing.”
‘I wanted to take care of soldiers and retirees’
Town Commissioner Marvin Lackman called Dickerhoff “a pillar of the community” on Nov. 7, when the Spring Lake dentist was honored with the Fourth Annual Spring Lake Veteran of the Year award at Veterans Park.
“Dr. Dickerhoff’s service to the military and veteran community over the years had an impact in Spring Lake,” said Lackman, who also is an Army veteran. “Dr. Dickerhoff has committed to making Spring Lake better, whether it has been providing dental care, serving a town committee, improving the overall appearance or bringing some beautiful art to our town.”
Joining Lackman was Mayor Kia Anthony, U.S. Marines Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Walter Gaskin, who once was head of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs under former Gov. Roy Cooper, Cumberland Board of County Commissioners’ Chair Kirk deViere and a number of veterans.
“Obviously, I am very humbled,” said Dickerhoff, who Lackman said was selected by the Spring Lake Military and Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee. “I’m sure there are others who are more worthy, but my particular bent is I am in Spring Lake, North Carolina, because of Fort Bragg. This is what I was meant to do. I wanted to take care of soldiers and retirees. The fact that somebody acknowledges that carries validation we’re doing something positive.”
Past award recipients are Air Force Tech Sgt. (Ret.) Jennifer Alexander (2024), Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. (Ret.) George Reed (2023) and the late Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Charles “Charlie” Miller (2022).
“Dr. David Dickerhoff embodies what service looks like after the uniform,” said Anthony, an Army combat veteran, who recently was elected to her third mayoral term. “As a former Army officer and the founder of Spring Lake Dental Group, he has spent nearly three decades caring for Spring Lake residents, Fort Bragg soldiers, retirees and their families with skill and heart. From donated care for those in need to hands-on support for community projects that honor our veterans, he shows up for Spring Lake. We are proud to recognize him as our veteran of the year.”
Dickerhoff, deViere says, personifies military and community service.
“Dave Dickerhoff exemplifies the very best of what it means to serve – both in uniform and in our community,” said deViere, who also served in the Army from 1989-2000. “His dedication to Spring Lake through his beautiful murals and countless other contributions shows that his commitment to service didn’t end with his military career. It’s an honor to celebrate veterans like Dave, who continue to make Cumberland County stronger every single day. This recognition is well-deserved, and I’m grateful for his ongoing dedication to our community.”
Epilogue
A native of Cumberland, Md., Dickerhoff says it is an honor he shares with his entire dental practice team, many of whom are veterans or family members themselves.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my talented associates and staff,” Dickerhoff said, “the patients we have the privilege of serving, my office manager Becky Spell and my wife of 27 years, Janice.”
“I am truly blessed.”
“I’m on the back nine of my life, but I am honored to have been leading these dedicated professionals of Spring Lake Dental Group,” Dickerhoff said. “They believe in my philosophy of taking care of soldiers, family members and retirees. I accepted the award as Dave Dickerhoff, but I was there representing all of them. I’m fortunate to understand military families and the sacrifices they make for our great country.”
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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