thedrifter
08-12-07, 09:55 AM
Honoring those who sacrificed life and limb
By Mike Baird (Contact)
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Twenty-two Purple Heart recipients shared wartime stories and thanked one another for their sacrifices as 100 family members and supporters at Sherrill Park sweltered in the Saturday morning sun.
Retired Navy chaplain Capt. Alston Kirk talked about a Vietnam soldier he remembered who died using his body to protect a wounded Marine.
"Take this story and multiply it by thousands of corpsman, combat medics and grunts who looked after each other," he said. "Those people without legs, in wheelchairs, still suffering from wars, paid for our freedom.
"You here today have paid with your own bodies, your human flesh, for freedom."
Care for today's injured soldiers is a poignant concern, he said.
"When our youngsters are wounded in combat, they should not have to beg for care," Kirk declared.
Despite recent news regarding care at Veterans Administration hospitals, one local recipient of five Purple Hearts believes South Texas veterans get quality care.
Tommy Fowler, 74, was shot four different times and still has constant trouble from stomach wounds and seven pieces of shrapnel lodged in his shoulder and back from an explosion.
"The clinic here and San Antonio's Audie Murphy (Memorial Veterans) Hospital have superior people who really take care of you," he said. "We've got two of the premier health-care facilities for veterans."
The about one hour ceremony was hosted by The Military Order of the Purple Heart Alaniz-Valentine Chapter 598, which has registered 149 Coastal Bend recipients of the Purple Heart for combat injuries or death. Five Gold Star family members who lost loveed ones in war attended, including Cecilo and Teresa Alaniz, for whose son the chapter is co-named after.
Contact Mike Baird at 886-3774 or bairdm@caller.com
Ellie
By Mike Baird (Contact)
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Twenty-two Purple Heart recipients shared wartime stories and thanked one another for their sacrifices as 100 family members and supporters at Sherrill Park sweltered in the Saturday morning sun.
Retired Navy chaplain Capt. Alston Kirk talked about a Vietnam soldier he remembered who died using his body to protect a wounded Marine.
"Take this story and multiply it by thousands of corpsman, combat medics and grunts who looked after each other," he said. "Those people without legs, in wheelchairs, still suffering from wars, paid for our freedom.
"You here today have paid with your own bodies, your human flesh, for freedom."
Care for today's injured soldiers is a poignant concern, he said.
"When our youngsters are wounded in combat, they should not have to beg for care," Kirk declared.
Despite recent news regarding care at Veterans Administration hospitals, one local recipient of five Purple Hearts believes South Texas veterans get quality care.
Tommy Fowler, 74, was shot four different times and still has constant trouble from stomach wounds and seven pieces of shrapnel lodged in his shoulder and back from an explosion.
"The clinic here and San Antonio's Audie Murphy (Memorial Veterans) Hospital have superior people who really take care of you," he said. "We've got two of the premier health-care facilities for veterans."
The about one hour ceremony was hosted by The Military Order of the Purple Heart Alaniz-Valentine Chapter 598, which has registered 149 Coastal Bend recipients of the Purple Heart for combat injuries or death. Five Gold Star family members who lost loveed ones in war attended, including Cecilo and Teresa Alaniz, for whose son the chapter is co-named after.
Contact Mike Baird at 886-3774 or bairdm@caller.com
Ellie