Texas National Guard Soldiers receive state, federal Purple Hearts

By Lori Newman, Brooke Army Medical Center Public AffairsOctober 7, 2015

Texas National Guard Soldiers receive state, federal Purple Hearts
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pins the Texas Purple Heart on Spc. James Burkett during a ceremony at the Warrior and Family Support Center's Purple Heart Garden, Sept. 24, 2015. Burkett was one of four Texas National Guard members who received the award fro... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Texas National Guard Soldiers receive state, federal Purple Hearts
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – From left, Maj. Gen. William L. Smith, Sgt. Michael Cantu, Spc. James Burkett, Staff Sgt. Guadalupe Chapa, Col. Mark Swofford, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Spc. Jose Romo, seated, pose for a photo after the Texas Purple Heart ceremony at the Warrior an... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Texas National Guard Soldiers receive state, federal Purple Hearts
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. William L. Smith, assistant adjutant general - Army, and commander, Texas Army National Guard, shakes Staff Sgt. Guadalupe Chapa's hand after presenting him a Purple Heart medal at the Warrior and Family Support Center's Purple Heart Garden... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Oct. 7, 2015) -- Four Texas Army National Guard Soldiers, who are recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center here, received both state and federal Purple Heart medals during ceremonies at the Warrior and Family Support Center's Purple Heart Garden.

During the first ceremony, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott presented the Texas Purple Heart to the Soldiers, Sept. 24.

The Soldiers, Staff Sgt. Guadalupe Chapa, a combat engineer; Sgt. Michael Cantu, an infantryman; Spc. James Burkett, a wheeled vehicle mechanic; and Spc. Jose Romo, an indirect fire infantryman, are all assigned to Troop A, 1st Squadron, 112th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard. The Soldiers suffered various injuries after the vehicle they were riding in struck an improvised explosive device on the Sinai Peninsula, Sept. 3.

The Texas governor praised the Soldiers for their dedication and courage.

"The truth is not all Americans have the level of courage that you have. You have the guts, the heart and the courage to go to foreign lands to ensure freedom there, so we can ensure freedom back home," Abbott said.

"As governor I have a lot of different tasks to do, but no task is as important or as rewarding as being able to recognize and honor the men and women, who serve in our uniform," he said. "I wanted to be here today to let you know how grateful the people of this state are for you, for your service and for our ability to recognize you today with the Texas Purple Heart award."

The Texas Purple Heart is the third highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of Texas' military forces after the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor and the Texas Medal of Valor. It is awarded to any member of the Texas military forces, who was inducted into federal service after Sept. 11, 2001, and meets the criteria for the award of the federal Purple Heart.

The Soldiers were awarded the federal Purple Heart from Maj. Gen. William L. Smith, assistant adjutant general - Army, and commander, Texas Army National Guard, a week later, Sept. 30.

Smith said he was very proud to present the Purple Heart to the four Texas Soldiers.

During the ceremony, the narrator read the history of the Purple Heart medal, saying it was the "first American award made available to the common Soldier."

The general said it struck him that the words "common Soldier" were used.

"I don't think there is such a thing as a common Soldier," he said. "I think all of our Soldiers are very uncommon in the fact that they volunteered for service, and most of them volunteered for service as we are in a time of war, which is a real testament to what our people are and it makes me proud to be here in front of them."

Because the Soldiers served together in the same unit and were wounded together, they all feel a strong bond with one another.

"We were close this whole deployment and this just made us a whole lot closer," Cantu said. "We're not blood related, but we're all brothers and this just makes us even closer."

"It's hard to explain," Chapa said. "It's like playing sports; when your team is together, your team is tight, it's inseparable … it's a strong bond that can't be broken no matter what."

Related Links:

Brooke Army Medical Center

Army.mil: Human Interest News

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