As a survivor of the Vietnam War, Dennis Craycraft, 65, of Belding, knows what it's like to face the possibility of never coming home again. That's why his hometown community of Belding means so much to him, why he's invested so much of his life into it and why he was chosen as the 2011 Belding Labor Day grand marshal. "He came highly recommended by everyone on the committee," said Labor Day Committee Chairman Mike Tefft. "We look for a grand marshal that goes above and beyond to make Belding a better place. He's done that and more." Craycraft sees the honor more about the veterans he serves than for himself. "Being grand marshal is very humbling," he said. "When I'm in the convertible learning how to wave, it's for all of them." Transplant from the Upper Peninsula Born in Newberry, located in Luce County about an hour north of the Mackinac Bridge, Craycraft moved with his mother and stepfather, Bonnie and Bill Craycraft, to Belding when he was 3 years old. After growing up in Belding, Craycraft spent three years serving in Vietnam. He completed two tours of duty through 1967 to 1969. "That really turned my life around," he said of his time in the military. "War really gives you a wake up call to appreciate being an American." Craycraft's eyes water as thoughts of Vietnam flash through his memory and he can't help but be thankful to return home safely. "I lost some really good friends over there," he said. After he returned from the war, he married his wife of 42 years, Ruth, and settled down to raise a family. He spent 32 years working as a corrections officer at the Ionia County Jail, but found the job taxing emotionally. "I needed something to get my faith back in the community again," Craycraft said. So Craycraft started a new profession in 1979 - chimney sweeping - which continues to support him and his family to this day. "I'm working on getting my son to take over the business," he said. "It's none too easy to get up on those roofs these days." Standing on big shoulders Craycraft is best known around the community for his time and efforts supporting Belding VFW Post 4406, where he served as commander until this past year. During his years leading the post, Craycraft has been involved in many military fundraising efforts. But he would be the first to admit that he hasn't worked alone to protect local veterans and their families. Tefft said Craycraft has been "the glue that's held a lot of projects together through the years." "He's the perfect person for grand marshal," Tefft said. Craycraft said many in the community care just as much as he does about local veterans. He's just had a more visible role. "I stand on a lot of big shoulders," Craycraft said.