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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Gary George Wetzel ~ 23 September 2024
Serving the Best Troops and Veterans In The World !!
| The Canteen Crew
Posted on 09/22/2024 5:00:25 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today! |
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~ Hall of Heroes ~ Gary George Wetzel Info from here. | | Gary George Wetzel (born September 29, 1947) is a former United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decorationthe Medal of Honorfor his actions in the Vietnam War.
| Wetzel joined the Army from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and by January 8, 1968 was a Private First Class serving as a door gunner in the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company. On that day, near Ap Dong An, Republic of Vietnam, his helicopter was shot down and the survivors, including Wetzel, came under heavy enemy fire. Severely wounded by an explosion which nearly severed his left arm, he continued to man his machine-gun and help other injured soldiers. Wetzel survived his wounds, although his left arm had to be amputated. He was subsequently promoted to Specialist Four and awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. Wetzel currently lives in his hometown of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and works as a heavy equipment operator. | Wetzel's official Medal of Honor citation reads: Sp4c. Wetzel, 173d Assault Helicopter Company, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life. above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Wetzel was serving as door gunner aboard a helicopter which was part of an insertion force trapped in a landing zone by intense and deadly hostile fire. Sp4c. Wetzel was going to the aid of his aircraft commander when he was blown into a rice paddy and critically wounded by 2 enemy rockets that exploded just inches from his location. Although bleeding profusely due to the loss of his left arm and severe wounds in his right arm, chest, and left leg, Sp4c. Wetzel staggered back to his original position in his gun-well and took the enemy forces under fire. His machinegun was the only weapon placing effective fire on the enemy at that time. Through a resolve that overcame the shock and intolerable pain of his injuries, Sp4c. Wetzel remained at his position until he had eliminated the automatic weapons emplacement that had been inflicting heavy casualties on the American troops and preventing them from moving against this strong enemy force. Refusing to attend his own extensive wounds, he attempted to return to the aid of his aircraft commander but passed out from loss of blood. Regaining consciousness, he persisted in his efforts to drag himself to the aid of his fellow crewman. After an agonizing effort, he came to the side of the crew chief who was attempting to drag the wounded aircraft commander to the safety of a nearby dike. Unswerving in his devotion to his fellow man, Sp4c. Wetzel assisted his crew chief even though he lost consciousness once again during this action. Sp4c. Wetzel displayed extraordinary heroism in his efforts to aid his fellow crewmen. His gallant actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
| ~December 3, 2007~
From left, retired Maj. Gen. Patrick H. Brady looks on while Maj. Gen. Virgil L. Packett III, commanding general of the U.S. Army Aviation Warfighting Center, presents a commemorative street sign to Gary G. Wetzel during a ceremony at Fort Rucker, Alabama, to name streets in their honor in a new housing development there on Dec. 3, 2007. Brady and Wetzel are both Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients. | Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families. This is a politics-free zone! Thanks for helping us in our mission! |
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska
2
posted on
09/22/2024 5:00:58 PM PDT
by
left that other site
("Providence" ain't just a city in Rhode Island.)
To: Kathy in Alaska; luvie; HiJinx; AZamericonnie; Jet Jaguar; beachn4fun; laurenmarlowe; MS.BEHAVIN; ..
Greetings to all at the Canteen!
To all our military men and women, past and present,
3
posted on
09/22/2024 5:02:23 PM PDT
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Happy Sunday, Kathy and thanks for honoring tonight’s hero!
4
posted on
09/22/2024 5:06:34 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Sic Semper Tyrannis)
To: left that other site
Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...hoep your weather is holding for Blue time.
Fall has really fallen here. Leaves have mostly turned and MANY have fallen.
5
posted on
09/22/2024 5:28:19 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: doorgunner69
“of interest” ping to you.
6
posted on
09/22/2024 5:29:56 PM PDT
by
kiryandil
(Kraft durch Freude! - The Kamunist and The Walzrus )
To: Kathy in Alaska
September 23
No Longer a Foreigner
You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people.
Ephesians 2:19 “You don’t belong here.” Those words crushed an eight-year-old girl’s heart, and the pain stayed with her. Her family had emigrated from a refugee camp in a war-torn country to a new country, and her immigration card had the word
alien stamped on it. She felt like she didn’t belong.
As an adult, although she put her faith in Jesus, she still felt alienated—stung by the feeling that she was an unwelcome outsider. While reading her Bible, she discovered the promises of Ephesians 2. In verse 12, she saw that old, troubling word alien. “You were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (nkjv). But as she kept reading, she saw how Christ’s sacrifice had changed her status. She got to verse 19, which told her, “You are no longer” a foreigner or alien. She was a “fellow citizen” with God’s people. Realizing that she was a citizen of heaven, she was overjoyed. Never again would she be an outsider. God had taken her in and accepted her.
Because of our sin, we’re alienated from God. But we don’t have to stay that way. Jesus brought peace to all who were “far away” (v. 17), making all who trust Him fellow citizens of His eternal kingdom—united as the body of Christ.
Reflect & Pray
In what way do you feel alienated? What does it mean for you to know that God has called all His children to be united in Him?
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to experience fellowship with You and with others who love and trust You.
7
posted on
09/22/2024 5:30:32 PM PDT
by
The Mayor
(Dear God, I pray that You’ll give me opportunities to share my faith)
To: Kathy in Alaska
It’s been rainy all weekend, but things look better in the days ahead for riding!
8
posted on
09/22/2024 5:31:05 PM PDT
by
left that other site
("Providence" ain't just a city in Rhode Island.)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Thanks, Kathy. RIP, Gary. We owe you much.
9
posted on
09/22/2024 5:36:42 PM PDT
by
Huskrrrr
(Alinsky, you magnificent Bastard, I read your book!)
To: MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 300winmag; 357 SIG; ...
~ Hall of Heroes: Gary George Wetzel ~
FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
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Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
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We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.
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10
posted on
09/22/2024 5:37:21 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Howdy, Kathy.
Looks like Old Man Winter is already eyeballing your part of the world. A little kiss of termination dust on a few of the higher peaks of the Chugach Mountains today. Oof! Too soon!
11
posted on
09/22/2024 6:04:38 PM PDT
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Evening, Kathy! First day of fall, and I miss summer already!
12
posted on
09/22/2024 6:10:49 PM PDT
by
MoochPooch
(I'm a compassionate cynic.)
To: radu
Good evening, radu...it looks more and more like fall here. I did get all the leaves swept off my deck for the time being.
Hope you got some rest today.
I’ve been working at my own desk all day, so now need to go back to work to get ready for Monday. First thing I need to do is run my garnishment reports so they are ready for Monday AM.
13
posted on
09/22/2024 6:37:47 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska; y'all; radu; beachn4fun; Allegra; GodBlessUSA; E.G.C.; Jet Jaguar; ...
Gary George Wetzel
born September 29, 1947
former United States Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
for his actions in the Vietnam War.
A very brave and special hero to us all!
14
posted on
09/22/2024 6:59:19 PM PDT
by
luvie
(🇺🇸The bravery/dedication of our troops keeping us safe & free make me proud to be an American.🇺🇸)
To: MoochPooch
Good evening, Mooch...my yard is covered in golden leaves. Fall has fallen here.
Have a great week, this first week of fall.
15
posted on
09/22/2024 7:20:31 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
It certainly DOES look like fall up there. And it happened fast .... went from green to gold seemingly overnight. It’s really pretty when the sun’s out because everything seems to glow.
It’s been a low-key day here but not do-nothing. Been getting some housework done a little at a time. Laundry’s going at the moment.
Get those garns dealt with! Everything else, too, so you can have a (hopefully) smooth Monday.
16
posted on
09/22/2024 7:29:51 PM PDT
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: luvie
Howdy, luvie.
Have you recovered from your long trip yesterday?
Have the kitties settled down yet?
17
posted on
09/22/2024 7:31:27 PM PDT
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: radu
Hey there, radu!
I’m still a bit tired and that’s even with having a nice nap. I crashed and burned is what I did. LOL! A few more days and I”ll be ready to do it again.
It’s reeeeally cool out there. 63 now and the high today was only 80. That was a great pick-me-up.
How are things there? Did you finally get Champ to the mower doc for his “Procedure”? 🩺
18
posted on
09/22/2024 7:52:05 PM PDT
by
luvie
(🇺🇸The bravery/dedication of our troops keeping us safe & free make me proud to be an American.🇺🇸)
To: luvie
Yeah, it takes a day or three to get everything back in one bag after going on a trip. And the older we get, the longer it seems to take. LOL
Your weather sounds awesome! Wish we had it here but nope. Still hot and steamy today and even now, it’s a bit warm at 76. We’ll cool off behind the front that comes through Wednesday.
Champ went to the mower doctor last Monday and I’m waiting for the call to let me know it’s been fixed. I was hoping to hear something by Friday so I could get started on mowing before we get rain. The grass is so dry right now, it’ll be a breeze to get the mowing done.
19
posted on
09/22/2024 8:27:14 PM PDT
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: The Mayor
Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.
Hope you have all your ducks in a row for the new week. I’m working on mine.
20
posted on
09/22/2024 8:55:28 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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