An Old Soldier Finally Relents and Accepts His WWII Service Medals

[Rose Siding]

Army Pvt. Manuel Lopez Sanchez sat straight in his jet-black wheelchair, his face stern and chest out. He was at attention again.

But he couldn't hold back his smile.

Gathered around the 84-year-old veteran Friday were about 40 family members and friends, standing in the den of his Rosemead home to watch him finally receive eight medals for his service during World War II.

As the pillow of medals was placed on his lap, tears welled up and he said, "I don't think I deserve all this. I was fighting for my country."

Over 52 years of marriage, his wife, Amelia, had urged him to seek the medals. He always refused, saying he thought medals should go to those who died in combat. Sanchez had come close. He received 86 wounds from shrapnel during the Normandy invasion and was spared only when he fell in the mud, which prevented him from bleeding to death.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-soldier9apr09,1,4589892.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Rep. Hilda L. Solis (DEMOCRAT) handled this. Moved by deaths in the Iraq War, she's actively seeking out those who have earned medals that they haven't received

[ProgressiveConn]

1. 86 wounds? Declining honrs for over 60 years?

An American Hero to be sure.

[wheresthemind]

10. Well if a Democrat was involved...

The means the lying son of bitch probably allied with the Germans in order to have that mortar land close enough to hit him in 86 specific preselected places and then have him fall into a mud hole pre-dug for him by the SS. What an unpatriotic bastard refusing his metals! All this was part of master plan to run for President in 2008 and take over the US in the name of NAZI Germany.

Who wants in on the Normandy Beachers for Truth?

[Lithos]

2. Thank you Pvt. Sanchez

And thank you Rep. Solis for making sure this hero was recognized.

L-

[Steel City Slim]

3. WOW!!!

I am in awe!

[icymist]

4. Truly, this is a real patriot.

Thank you Pvt. Sanchez, you've brought hope and much more to anxious Americans at war once again. You are my hero.

[Hand]

5. The true hero is modest and humble...

Like this:

"I don't need thanks or nothing for doing something for my country," Sanchez added, his voice wavering. "I just feel lucky to be alive."

:patriot:

[Joey Liberal]

6. I salute you, Pvt. Sanchez!

Anyone involved in that Normandy invasion is a hero. The things they did on that day will never be matched.

[TahitiNut]

7. We'd honor him more by emulating him than by saluting him.

:shrug: I'd far rather we'd learn by what they model than separate ourselves from them by calling them 'heroes.' When we elevate such people, we make it easier on ourselves to not live up to what we say is 'good.'

[stevedeshazer]

8. Well said

He just did what he was called upon to do.

Good guy, good American. There are millions like him.

Sad, though, that the WW II generation is slipping away fast. Oh, the stories they have; many will never be told.

[July]

13. Manuel Lopez Sanchez seems to agree with you.

He doesn't put himself on a pedestal. But he did earn recognition, and perhaps he will inspire others. I was glad to hear his story, and he appears to be a humble guy.

[wheresthemind]

9. ooops, double post

[Mugweed]

11. Maybe I'm wrong,

but it seems this guy, and maybe others, didn't care to 'get the glory' but just did what they had to do. Ms. Solis should direct her energies toward the real problems in America TODAY and try to change that, instead of spending too much time persuading people to reconsider what they've already decided in an honorable fashion. Not enough to do?

[Rose Siding]

14. It's a good idea for Reps to visit community centers

It's also a good idea to see that the US keeps its promises to veterans. She opposed the Iraq War and it's important that voters know that doesn't mean that as a dem, she's anti-all-things-military.

If you're worried about her slacking, maybe you should check out her site

http://solis.house.gov/HoR/CA32/English/Home+Page.htm

Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis

She is the Ranking Member of the Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee and is part of the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee. Solis is also Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues, Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Task Force on Health and a Regional Whip for Southern California. Her priorities include protecting the environment, improving the quality of health care and fighting for the rights of working families.

Congresswoman Solis' hard work and passion to fight for environmental justice is nationally recognized. In August 2000, she was the first woman awarded the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award for her pioneering work on environmental justice issues in California. Her environmental justice legislation was the first in the nation to become law.

Her district returned her to Congress last November with over 84% of the vote.

[Name removed]

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