Former resident pays tribute to World War II veteran
White Sands, N.M. – It speaks volumes to the impact that someone made on your life that you would be willing to participate in a memorial march some 1,557 miles from where they called home.
Greg Barker has never forgotten the impression Wayne Carringer made upon him in the summer of 1972, in a mobile home park off Depot Street in Robbinsville.
"He was always a great friend to me and my family," Barker said. "I'm very sure that many more share the same sentiment for him."
Carringer's name is well established in Graham County. A celebrated World War II veteran, Carringer endured the horrors of the Bataan Death March – which began 84 years ago today – and spent 3 ½ years as a Prisoner of War.
Carringer passed away July 1, 2018 and in 2022, the newly-built connector road from U.S. 129 to Robbinsville Middle/High School was re-named "Wayne Carringer Boulevard" by the North Carolina Department of Transportation."
Barker left Graham County in 1985 after joining the Armed Forces, but wanted to pay tribute to Carringer after learning of his passing.
"He and I never talked about any of it (Carringer's time as a POW), as far as I remember," Barker said. "I was just a young boy."
The stars aligned when Barker found the Bataan Memorial Death March, an annual marathon that takes place at the White Sands (N.M.) Missile Range. First held in 1989, the marathon is renowned for its difficulty.
Barker and his wife Rhonda attended the 2026 edition, held March 21.
From grass to sand
Greg's initial meeting with Carringer was thanks to a push mower.
A group of them, in fact.
"Wayne had 6-8 push lawnmowers that he would bring out of his workshop on Friday mornings," Barker recalled. "He would disperse them randomly throughout the trailer Parker and leave them out until Saturday afternoon.
"When I was eight years old, Wayne told me that I should be mowing people's lawns for pay. I took his advice and I was in business. $1 per yard. I look back on that now and I think he smiled as he saw me hustle."
It was that same initiative that led to Greg navigating the pre-dawn marathon course in White Sands just a few weeks ago. He was walking behind three men, but in the 4 a.m., darkness, didn't notice anything remarkable until reaching artificial lighting – where a parade was to be held as part of the festivities.
"As we got into the parade field lighting, I could see that all three of these men were walking on a prosthetic leg," Greg said. "Two had a missing left leg, the other was missing a right leg. They all got into the area of the event that was for wounded warriors. I spoke to them and they had been victims of separate IED (Improvised explosive device) attacks in Afghanistan.
"I felt that I was in the presence of outstanding people. I was right."
Those who run the marathon select either a 15.6-mile trek or a 26.4-mile course. Greg had plenty of motivation to make it to the finish line.
"About halfway through the course, I was talking to a Marine," Greg explained. "He asked me if I was enjoying the marathon. I told him I was loving it – and pointed towards my backpack. I told him, I have a reason.' On my pack was a pinned, information placard representing Wayne Carringer. My wife had a friend make it and laminate it. I wore it with Wayne's pictures on it, with pride.
"I was stopped on the course several times by people wanting a picture of it and asking me how I knew him."
A registered nurse, Rhonda volunteered her efforts at the Medical Corps during the event – which had over 5,000 participants. Rhonda said she treated several for blisters, sprains and heat exhaustion.
"The course is no joke," Greg added. "It will humble you."
The couple is already making plans to return to the event in 2027.
Greg said he usually keeps his emotions in check, but found himself overwhelmed after completing the course and receiving a "finisher" medal.
"The person who put it there looked at me and said, 'Job well done,'" said Greg. "I looked at her and I told her that the man in the picture on my back did all the work. I appreciated it, but directed the job well done towards him.
"I walked on through the cheering crowd and other finishers, all high-fiving and smiling. I started to tear up. I thought about the hardships that Wayne Carringer endured and the tears flowed. I said out loud, 'Wayne, we did it.'
"I believe in my heart that Wayne, in spirit, was right there beside me enjoying the little walk through the high desert of New Mexico."