Wall of valor ceremony honors veterans

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Several veterans received awards today at the wall of valor for their courageous acts of service during their time of serving our country.

One Navy, one Marine Corps and two Army veterans from communities in southeast Missouri were recognized for their heroic actions during the ceremony.

“It’s awful scary to go over what we done, at the time we done it, but we’re trying to survive,” said Thomas W. Lawfield Jr. who served with the 101st Airborne during Vietnam.

He states it’s kind of a loaded question on his feelings towards being awarded for something that was instinctual.

“I had men, our men, who needed help and were almost out of ammo, so you do what you need to do. Bottom line,” said Lawfield Jr.

“It’s as traumatic as if it happened yesterday,” said William Brennan.

He is a retired commander in the U.S. Navy. He talks about the change he’s seen over the years in the treatment of servicemen and women,

“Things have changed over the years, the recent years, there’s been a lot of recognition of veterans, and it’s been really nice,” said Brennan.

Brennan says it wasn’t always like this for veterans.

“When I first came back, I was never subject to any hostility, but people would walk by, and not look at you,” said Brennan. “You know, like you were invisible. It’s not like that anymore. Several years ago, somebody said ‘thank you for your service’ and I had no idea who she was talking to.”

Following the ceremony, the veterans who were honored will be featured permanently on the facility’s electronic wall of valor at the veteran affair’s clinic.

“Any true American would do the same,” added Lawfield. “Actually, I don’t need to say anything else, I’m about to get teary eyed.”