Valley veterans honored for service
One Coachella Valley veteran now has the medals he earned while serving his country 70 years ago.
He’s one of seven Valley veterans honored Thursday in a special ceremony.
“You are my hero because of your selfless service,” said Congressman Raul Ruiz during Thursday’s ceremony.
The seven veterans served their country proudly in WWII, Vietnam, the Gulf War and the National Guard and earned medals for their valor.
“It’s the entire unit that deserved it, we did our job and we did it well,” said WWII veteran Louis Turlo.
But their medals were lost or they never got them, that is until now.
“It’s something I appreciate. These medals are important and I didn’t have them for years, so it came as a surprise that they went to the trouble to get them,” said Vietnam veteran Michael Devlin.
In front of family and friends, Congressman Ruiz gave each of these veterans the recognition they’ve earned.
“As excited as he gets, this is as excited as he will ever be,” said Chris Devlin whose father received.
Michael Devlin received the Purple Heart.
“I didn’t worry much about them, but I am 66 now, they are important. It’s something you can leave behind that says I did this. I was in the army, I was in the war,” said Michael Devlin “The medals are important at this point in life.”
“Extremely proud, he did a great service to his country, he deserves these medals and deserves to be remembered,” said Chris Devlin.
Even Devlin’s 4-year-old grandson, Patrick, knew the day was special.
“He got his shield!” said Patrick Devlin.
“I was glad they could share in it, that was one of the nicer part in it actually,” said Michael Devlin.
“We saw some of the veterans who had tears in their eyes because it means so much for them and it means a lot to us to be able to say thank you in a public ceremony, in a way that lifts our veterans,” said Ruiz.
It was a ceremony these veterans have been anticipating for a long time. In Louis Turlo’s case, 70 years.
“Very emotional, because it’s an emotional experience to be with others who went through it also,” said Turlo.
There was a long list of emotions, a few tears, even a hint of a smile, but it was long overdue pride that took over the faces of our local veterans.
“We just did what we were asked to do,” said Turlo.
