Posted on 05/26/2008 11:17:15 AM PDT by Saundra Duffy
True American Hero Honored
SSgt Vincent Rios, USMC (Ret.), was the Chair of Honor at the Memorial Program on Sunday, May 25, 2008, Lands End, Fort Miley, San Francisco. FReepers Scott and Saundra Hawkins file this first-hand account. Saundra met Vince Rios when they both worked for a federal agency in San Francisco in 1977 and they have remained close friends ever since. “Vince Rios is a true American hero if ever there was one,” says Saundra.
Why is Vince Rios a true American Hero? After Sgt. Rios served his first tour of duty in Vietnam, he volunteered to go back for the second tour. On February 6, 1969 – six days before the end of his second tour in Vietnam – Acting Platoon Commander, Sergeant Vincent Rios, was on patrol over a mile-long rice paddy. He was to advance his company’s position in an area he knew was heavily mined. Sgt. Rios stopped the platoon and advanced to speak with his point man. An enemy explosive device went off which took out both of Sgt. Rios’ legs and his right arm. The blast also partially amputated his left index and ring fingers. Sgt. Rios was awarded three purple hearts (two before he volunteered to go back to Vietnam) and two Bronze Stars for heroic achievement and meritorious service in Vietnam. After a long, painful recovery from his wounds - and before the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed which provided wheelchair access, bathrooms, ramps - Vince went back to school and earned four degrees, including two masters degrees. His civilian career, and volunteer time, has always focused on serving our Veterans.
This website has a brief biography of our hero, SSgt Vince Rios:
http://www.vnvdv.com/rios.htm
We took photos yesterday . . . hopefully coming later. Photos at his biography here: http://www.vnvdv.com/rios.htm
If I email photos to you, can you post here, please? Thanks.
Sure, I can do that. Do you still have my e-mail address?
Say, who are you? Yahoo!!!!
Not related to SSgt Rios, that I know of. And this is quite unfortunate. My Dad and Brother are real heroes of mine, as well. Dad still lives in Puerto Rico, and my brother moved to Texas after finishing his 20 years with the Army.
Vince Rios recently relocated to Texas!! He drove with family to San Francisco for this event. Thank you so much.
“Sgt. Rios was selected in both 1995 and 1996 by the Oakland Athletic’s to throw out the first pitch.”
Totally cool. He looked great yesterday!
With the cost of living in this state, I can't blame him. As soon as I can land a job in Texas, I'm moving too.
Mayor of SF was on the “participants” list but was a no show. An assemblyman did show. It was a gorgeous sunny day; weather perfect. Vince looked absolutely wonderful, healthy and strong. I am so proud to know him.
Emailed photos. Thanks so much.
Wonderful!! Thank you, Mama_Bear. It was a lovely day and I am so proud to know Vince Rios, a true American hero.
Yes, indeed,.....and you are very welcome. Glad I could help.
The event was put on by the USS San Francisco Memorial Foundation. On Friday 13th, November 1942, the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal - “24 minutes of thundering hell on Iron Bottom Bay” - This ferocious battle commenced at 1:48 a.m. in the pitch black of night. It was a sudden clash between 27 steel armored warships - 14 Japanese and 13 American. This is the only U.S. Naval surface ship engagement in which an American Admiral was killed in action - let alone two, RADM Daniel J. Callaghan on the USS San Francisco, and RADM Norman Scott on the USS Atlanta.
A total of more than 6,000 men on both sides were killed or wounded.
Here is their website: http://www.usssanfrancisco.org/
Very interesting. That’s a nice website. I have bookmarked it and will go back when I have more time and read more about the USS San Francisco.
Vietnam vets ping. Hope you are feeling better.
Memorial Day bump
USMC bump
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