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Veterans Day, 2006
My Great Nephew, Nick Bennett, is a Marine and
he was wounded quite badly, on Veterans Day, 2004, while serving in Iraq.
He was treated at a hospital in Germany and then in Bethesda Hospital for
about four months because he required treatments and therapy every day. He is home, in
Indiana now but is still in the Marines because he is still receiving treatments
and therapy. He has had many operations and skin grafts. Nick received a
promotion to Staff Sergeant, yesterday, Veterans Day, 2006, and the promotion ceremony was
held at the War Memorial Building in Indianapolis.
My brother Gene, Nick's Grandfather, was in the Army in Europe during the Second
World War and was a Prisoner Of War for several months. Gene was a POW in Stalag
7A at Moosburg, Germany. When Gene was liberated and then later discharged, he
didn't receive any of the ribbons and awards that he had earned and were due
him. Nick
knew that his Grandfather didn't have any service ribbons.
Nick had asked that his Grandfather be allowed to participate in Nick's
promotion ceremony and Gene was going to attach one of the Sergeant's stripes to
Nick while the Marine Officer attached the other one. That's all Gene thought he
was going to be involved in but unbeknownst to him, Nick had gotten a copy of a
document from the Army with a list of the ribbons and awards that Gene was
entitled to, including a Prisoner Of War Medal. The Army prepared all the
certificates, and medals with Gene's name on them and Nick arranged for a Army
General to present these to Gene. Gene didn't know anything about that part of
the ceremonies but Nick had told me about it and Sandy and I drove to
Indianapolis for the ceremonies. I was glad to see Nick get his stripes from the
Marine Officer and my Brother helped with attaching the stripes and then sat
down. After Nick was through, an Army Officer stepped up to the stand and the
First Sergeant read something about the Second World War and then with a loud
voice said, "Private First Class Eugene L. Clark, Front and Center". Gene was
totally surprised and pointed to himself and said questioningly, "Me?" The
First Sergeant indicated yes and commanded again, "Front and Center". The First
Sergeant read all the awards and certificates that Gene was receiving and the
General congratulated him on each one. My Brother is 83 years old and it was a
good Veterans Day. Picture links are below.
Nick
listening as First Sergeant reads the order
Old Soldier wonders,
"What now Sir?"
Gene listening as
First Sergeant reads the award
Applause for a
Tough Marine and an Old Soldier
Nick and Gene are
happy
Gene and Children
Gene and
Grandchildren
Gene and
Great Grandchildren
Gene gave this painting
to Sandy, painted by Betty Cross
Gene, Nick, Jim, 3
Veterans, taken in October 2006
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