FORT HOOD, Texas - One is too many when hearing of combat veterans not receiving what they deserve. Some of these veterans have "fell through the cracks," and were allowed to exit the military without being properly recognized.
For Irey Weeks, of Wewahitchka, Fla., a former specialist with Company E, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, this proved all too true.
Yet, there are people like Maj. Gen. (Ret.) James Simmons, former deputy commanding general maneuvers, 1st Cavalry Division (2000-2001), who go above and beyond for veterans.
In a small ceremony at the Port St. Joe, Fla. City Hall, Aug. 27, after almost 40 years, Weeks received his Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, an Army Commendation Medal, the Army Valorous Unit Citation, and a Vietnam Service medal.
Weeks and Simmons met early this year when Simmons hired Weeks to do some brick work on his home.
Weeks had his son-in-law, who was soon deploying to the Middle East, assist him with the work.
Pfc. Paul Williams, a Soldier in the Florida National Guard, asked Simmons for guidance on deploying. Amidst their conversation Simmons was reminded that Weeks had disabled veteran's license plates and asked him about it. Weeks told him he had been wounded in Vietnam, in 1970.
"Based on my experience over the years and his hesitancy on the subject I asked him straight-out, 'Did you receive your Purple Heart'' And he told me no," Simmons said. "I was very upset to hear this because here I've got a former Soldier from the Vietnam generation of warriors, a very unpopular time in our nation's history; who answered the nations call, was terribly wounded and was not recognized."
Simmons offered his help in receiving what Weeks had rightfully earned.
"This means something to me too, but I want to make sure I have something to pass down to my grandson," Weeks said.
Not long after their discussion they went to see Lt. Col. (Ret.) James Kennedy, the Gulf County, Fla., Veterans Affairs representative, and petitioned for Weeks' military records and medical records.
Simmons stated it was very clear in his records that Weeks had been injured in Vietnam by hostile fire, was medically retired and never received a Purple Heart.
Simmons then wrote a letter to Gen. Peter Chiarelli, vice chief of staff of the Army, himself a former 1st Cav. Div. commander, asking him to get involved in the matter. Within a few weeks the secretary of the Army had approved the awards.
"I have seen too many American heroes that have somehow slipped through the cracks and were not recognized for their contributions to the safety of this country," Simmons said.
In late 1969, Weeks was drafted in the Army as a reconnaissance Soldier. In May 1970, he was a radio carrier for his lieutenant on a recon mission in Vietnam.
"We weren't there to fight them, we were out there to find them, back-off and report them in," he said.
During the mission his squad was hit by mortar fire and Weeks was severely injured.
He ultimately ended up at Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he was treated and placed on a temporary leave status for approximately five years, then medically retired.
Upon his retirement he received paperwork that had summed up his nearly six months in the Army. Nothing mentioned a Purple Heart.
"There was just basic training and rifle marksmanship," Weeks said. "Several years later I happened to find this general, who I became pretty good friends with. I told him about it and he said he'd find out about it and he put all that stuff together for me."
Simmons stated he had plenty of motivation to help Weeks simply because he is a combat veteran, but also because of Weeks' character.
"He is a very hard working, family oriented man that cares more for others than he does himself," Simmons said. "He is a very mild-mannered, soft-spoken gentleman."
Simmons reiterated that Soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan receive a proper welcome home; unlike the Soldiers that returned home from Vietnam.
For Simmons, he did what he could to ensure the proper recognition for one Vietnam combat veteran.
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