A Hiawassee man profiled in a July 3 story in The Times about veterans coping with old war wounds died Wednesday. He was 62.

Services are set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Park Funeral Home in Gainesville for Barry Barrett.

Visitation is set for 6 to 8 tonight at the funeral home at 2030 Memorial Park Road.

The Atlanta native served in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War, rising to the rank of corporal. He is the recipient of three Purple Hearts, the medal given to U.S. soldiers wounded in combat.

Barrett's brother, Brent Barrett, who lives on the Hall-Lumpkin county line, also served in Vietnam and received two Purple Hearts. In late June, the brothers sat down for an interview at Brent's home and talked about their military experience.

They also spoke on the meaning of July Fourth.

Barry Barrett said he believed that today's youngsters "don't relate the Fourth of July to (military service)."

He likened it to Christmas Day lessened by an emphasis on gift giving.

At the same time, Barry Barrett didn't place himself on a pedestal. "I wasn't a hero," he said. "No, the heroes were left over there. The heroes are on the (Vietnam Memorial) wall in Washington, D.C."

He went on to say that war is "not like the movies."

"When you're actually there ... the fear factor gets into you so much that survival is all you're there for. You're going to survive," he said. "You're going to fight ... and die like a U.S. Marine - that's all there is to it."

Brent Barrett said his brother, who died of a massive heart attack, "was a patriot to the end."

"He'd give the shirt off his back to you," he said.

Barry Barrett, who had retired from Oil Dri of America, also was "a caring, loving dad" to his children and "he really loved the Marine Corps," his brother said.

Survivors include his wife, three daughters and four grandsons.