Page 10 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2020- Online Magazine

Military Order
of The Purple
Hospital in Hawaii where I
underwent surgery. Three Heart
months later I was transferred Chapter 553
to the Naval Hospital in Corpus
Christi. I am still being treated
[52 years later] for my injuries. AMARILLO, TEXAS

After discharge, Don attended
Amarillo College and West Texas
State University in Canyon. He MOPH Chapter 553 supports our mission
went to work for Southwestern of helping all combat wounded Veterans
Public Service designing power and their families. We will help any
plants. He worked with the same Veteran who is in need, whether that is
group of people through several a monetary donation or helping them
mergers and finally retired from acquire benefit needs.
Zachry Engineering in 2018 after
41 years and seven months. Local Community Veteran
programs we support:
back which made me a soldier the “My wife Rosemary and I have 1) Thomas Creek Veterans Hospital
enemy wanted to eliminate. When I been married for 44 wonderful for Veterans in their VA Community
stepped on the booby trap, it tossed years. She has been very Housing First Program provides funds
me 15 feet straight up in the air. I understanding and supportive for household goods as well as personal
landed flat on my neck and back. of me during the health issues I hygiene supplies for homeless veterans
The first thing I remember was not have had from my injuries from transitioning to permanent housing.
2) We provide funds for the Thomas
being able to move. My left arm Vietnam. We have one daughter Creek Veterans Hospital Clothing Room
was almost severed at my elbow. I Shelly who graduated from for purchasing coats, underwear, winter
felt like I was on fire. The blast had Amarillo College and from Texas clothing and personal hygiene items for
burned my legs. The first thing I Tech. She married a Marine homeless Veterans.
asked my buddies was, ‘Do I have veteran who served in Iraq. They 3) We also provide funds to the Texas
both of my legs?’ They assured me have given us three amazing Panhandle War Memorial and Education
I did, but both of my bones below grandkids – Miles, Mason, and Center used to honor all veterans and to
my right knee were compound Morgan. We spend as much time inform and educate the public about the
fractured. as we can with them.” wars the United States has fought.

“Our squads had split up earlier in Don Roden is currently the 4) We support local ROTC Programs in
the area High Schools.
the day, and the medic had gone Commander of the Military
with the others, so there was no Order of the Purple Heart Other projects that MOPH Chapter 553
medic with us. I was conscious the Chapter 553 and serves on the has done for Veterans and their families of
whole time. We were getting a lot Board of Directors of the Texas the Texas Panhandle include:
of fire while I was waiting for a Panhandle War Memorial and
medevac chopper. All I could do Education Center in Amarillo.
was lay there and He has served on the Board of
hope I didn’t get hit Directors for the State
again. Finally, the of Texas Alzheimer’s When Commander Roden was 18,
chopper arrived, Association and has he volunteered for the “toughest
but it took a couple worked with many other branch” in the US military. At 71,
of attempts to pick charities. He continues he would like today’s 18-year-olds
me up, due to the to have trouble with his to realize that freedom should not
heavy ground fire. I injuries. “Just last year be taken for granted. Two of his
was medevacked to the VA took shrapnel best friends were among the nearly
a military hospital and debris out of my 60,000 KIA in Vietnam who paid the
in DaNang where I right leg (including a 2” ultimate price for it, and Don Roden
was stabilized, then sliver of bamboo). I get wants to do everything he can to
transferred to Tripler injections in my neck make sure their sacrifice was not in
General Army and left elbow when
needed.” vain.

10 Senior Link