It was a bittersweet moment for the family of David Malone, a valiant soldier who fought in Vietnam.

It was that war that took his life, but not on the battlefield. Years after returning home to Lawrence County, Malone succumbed to cancer, caused by his exposure to Agent Orange, at the age of 56 in May of 2007.

On Saturday, those who loved and admired Malone met at the Ironton AMVETS Post 5293 to dedicate the post to him. It is now the David Malone Memorial AMVETS Post.

“I’m proud and he would definitely be proud,” Betty Malone, David’s wife, said after the brief ceremony that renamed the post for her husband. “He loved this post. He was a shy person, but this brought him out.”

Betty Malone was joined on stage for the dedication with David’s mother and brother, Jewel Malone and Phillip Malone.

Malone, who was instrumental in starting the post, was its first commander, holding that office for five years.

Starting early next year the Ironton facility will offer a career center, one of 68 Amvets-sponsored centers in the state. There computerized courses, such as Windows and Quick Books, will be offered – free for veterans and a small fee for non-veterans.