Page 31 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2023 - Online Magazine

HONORING VETERANS

HONORING

HOME OF THE FREE THE

Heroes by Danny Koch

here do our American 2. Purple Heart recipients who have a law degree from Oklahoma. He
heroes come from— been wounded or killed, and came from an ordinary family. He
Wspecifically, our heroes who 3. A memorial honoring the 12 West was an ordinary American who did
have received their nation's highest Texans who have received the Medal something so extraordinary on the
award for valor—The Congressional of Honor. battlefield that his name will live
Medal of Honor? forever. Dwight W. Birdwell is an
These three memorials located at American hero. As the songwriters
Over 3600 Americans have received Huneke Park on 82nd St. represent the wrote, “the currency of freedom is a
the Medal of Honor since its inception best of America. It honors ordinary soldier's blood.” The Monument of
during the Civil War. Almost 1500 men and women who sacrificed their Courage honors heroes who made
Because enlist. But since then, the significance treasures. These were ordinary women who were willing to die for
tomorrows for our todays. Families
were granted during that war, with
a down payment in blood to protect
our great country, ordinary men and
have also sacrificed their greatest
many awarded as an incentive to re-
their country and often did.
of the award has grown in stature.
Americans who were seeking neither
fame nor riches but wanted to do their
Two thirds of the 2100 Americans
One way we can honor these heroes
part to keep America free.
awarded the Medal of Honor for
Brave majority of MOH Recipients were Monument of Courage will soon be Waving" is a tagline our local VFW,
Valor since the Civil War received
is by regularly displaying the sacred
OF THE
symbol of our country. "Keep the Flag
The Medal of Honor Memorial at the
them posthumously. The vast
adding a 13th recipient, Specialist 5
non-commissioned officers—ordinary
American Legion, Military Order
of the Purple Heart, and Friends
Dwight W. Birdwell, who was born in
soldiers fighting in the trenches. They
mostly came from small-town-USA.
Amarillo in 1948. His family moved
of the Monument of Courage have
These recipients were patriots who
implemented to teach the generations
to Bell, Oklahoma when he was a
wanted to defend and protect their
who follow us the importance of
baby. He is Cherokee and was raised
on an Indian Reservation. He went
country, our way of life and our flag,
service, patriotism, and sacrifice
ordinary citizens who were willing to
We honor our heroes by reminding
At just 20 years old, he displayed
lay down their lives and often did just
ourselves to remember their acts of
that. A large percentage were mere
incredible grit and courage on the
heroism. It is the least we can do.
battlefield, which led to two Silver
youngsters when their heroic actions to Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. for the precious gift of freedom.
led them to their Medal of Honor. Stars, two
Purple Hearts,
In Lubbock, the local VFW and Purple a Bronze
Heart joined forces with other veteran Star and, 54
advocates to build the Monument of years later, Medicare Supplements
Courage a few years back, with three the Medal of
memorials honoring the following Honor. After
groups: Vietnam, he David B. Lewallen
With a grateful heart, United Supermarkets honors the brave came home independent agent
1. Gold Star families who have lost a to Oklahoma,
men and women who have served our country. To all current soldier in war getting a 2815 74th St P.O. Box 53957
and future veterans, thank you for your brave service. college degree lubbock, texas 79423 lubbock, texas 79453
and then
(806) 792-7510 fax (806) 799-8153
Doing business locally for over 38 years
Lubbock Senior Link 31