Congressman Honors Couple Who Help Veterans

Today friends and family threw a surprise party for a couple who is doing their part to help injured soldiers. Their small contribution is making a big difference for amputees coming back from the war.

Its function is pretty ordinary, but when give a walking stick a purpose and it can be pretty amazing.

" We took three sticks the first time and it was two triple amputees and a double amputee that took them," said Dan Stenvold, president of the North Dakota Vietnam Veterans of America.

Dennis and Phyllis Enger carve and donate walking sticks to injured war Veterans. Dennis said he got the inspiration from a friend.

A friend of mine, his grandson lost a leg in Iraq and I visited with him a little bit and he said it would be a good project."

The husband and wife travel the state to find scrap wood. Many hours, much love and a few slivers later, there's a hand-carved walking stick. It's truly a team effort.

"I go along on all the cutting and help load," said Phyllis, before adding one more important element. "I feed the man!"

What started as a kind gesture is, according to Stenvold, something that means so much to a special group of people.

" They all had tears in their eyes because they didn't think anyone cared enough to do something like that."

Today friends and family honored the Engers with a surprise party at the Mayville VFW. State representative Earl Pomeroy had another surprise for the guests of honor.

"I put a statement in the Congressional Record because I believe the work of Dennis Enger, making those walking sticks reflects what's in the heart of so many Americans."

Now that they have a few plaques under their belts, don't expect Dennis and Phyllis to forget what they enjoy the most; helping the soldiers.

"You don't cry in front of them, but you do turn around once and a while and get choked up. It's the most emotional experience," Phyllis said.

"You'll never do anything more humbling than that," Dennis added.

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