NACOGDOCHES, TX (KTRE) - The Purple Heart is a symbol of courage during turbulent times. Purple Heart recipients attending the state convention in Nacogdoches could all recall the precise moment they were hurt. "There was a booby trap that went off and I had shrapnel," shared Tony Roman, Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 1836 in San Antonio. The retired Marine is a member of the nation's largest Purple Heart chapter. "I was wounded on Dec. 23 of 1967 in Vietnam by a mortar attack," recalled Federico Rey, Commander for the state of Texas. He's retired army. "I got shot the first time I was in Vietnam. It was 1968. In 1970 I went back. I got wounded in '71. That's when I got blown off an armor personnel carrier," stated John Footman, Department Senior Vice Commander for Chapter 1876. They are three men with husky voices that portray the stereotype of military members from the Vietnam era.
Then Anna king stepped up and frankly said, "I was injured on May 26, 2007 in Iraq. I was hit by a mortar." The young, petite former Army captain is trying her best to fit in with all these graying veterans. Some wear their medal proudly. To Anna it's still bittersweet. "I was a lifer. I really wanted to stay in the Army," she said with a pensive look. Instead it ended her career, but these veterans are helping her adjust. They're encouraging new veterans to seek treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (PTSD) "Vietnam veterans didn't receive treatment for 30 years, although they had PTSD all this time," explained Rey. "Their wives didn't understand them. Our friends didn't understand them. That is hopefully not going to be the case here." "They don't know how to relate with society," observed Footman, who spends time with returning soldiers.
Blame guilt. "I was an officer. I had a few of my soldiers that actually did not come home. That's difficult because you want to bring everybody home," said King. Purple Heart chapters are emphasizing therapy and that's something not readily accepted. "I hated it. I hate the idea of having to go to counseling. I hate the idea of saying I have therapists. I hate all that because it's weak," admitted King. But over time minds are changed. She says it's the stronger thing to do. "There are even some guys here who say they're still seeking help. It's good to know you're not alone," said King.
And it helped King to develop a repoire with the older fellow military officers. They still hugged her neck and joked about wanting to be young again, but it led to laughter. That's something nice for two generations to share.
Across the nation many people celebrated the Earth Day which started 48 years ago after a massive oil spill in California. Fast forward to today, the conversation revolves on conserving water according to organizers with Resilient Nacogdoches where its widely known that East Texas has an abundant resources of natural water. "Children grow up knowing that food, you just buy it, but you can grow it. We need water of course for growing gardens. It's something that we...
More >>Across the nation many people celebrated the Earth Day which started 48 years ago after a massive oil spill in California. Fast forward to today, the conversation revolves on conserving water according to organizers with Resilient Nacogdoches where its widely known that East Texas has an abundant resources of natural water. "Children grow up knowing that food, you just buy it, but you can grow it. We need water of course for growing gardens. It's something that we...
More >>The small, East Texas town of San Augustine hosted a celebration on Saturday for community members who had lived to see more moons than anyone else.
More >>The small, East Texas town of San Augustine hosted a celebration on Saturday for community members who had lived to see more moons than anyone else.
More >>The Nacogdoches County girls have snapped a two-game losing streak in the KTRE Pineywoods Showdown following a 54-41 win over Angelina County.
More >>The Nacogdoches County girls have snapped a two-game losing streak in the KTRE Pineywoods Showdown following a 54-41 win over Angelina County.
More >>For today's Angelina County Fair youth competition, participants showcased their beef heifer for the ultimate grand champion prize.
More >>For today's Angelina County Fair youth competition, participants showcased their beef heifer for the ultimate grand champion prize.
More >>The Salvation Army of Angelina County’s Adult Day Center has been operating for more than two-decades, but over time scholarships and saved financial assistance funds to sponsor adults have.
More >>The Salvation Army of Angelina County’s Adult Day Center has been operating for more than two-decades, but over time scholarships and saved financial assistance funds to sponsor adults have.
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