Medal of Honor war veteran lifts hope at Brooks VA Medical Center

November 6, 2009

Walking down the halls of the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport on Thursday was Gary Lee Litrell, a sergeant first class advisor of the Vietnam War. His visit to the VA facility took place just hours after he received a hearty welcome at the Shreveport Regional Airport.

As a payback and tribute to his fellow advisors who were killed after four days of hell in South Vietnam, Litrell donned his Medal of Honor that had been awarded to himself as well as those who lost their lives along side him.

Henry Ward, a 28-year-old veteran was awe struck by the five-pointed inverted star that hung from Litrell’s neck. This award is the highest achievement for valor in the U.S. “It sends chills up my body,” Ward said after riding with Litrell in the elevator of the V.A. facility.

One of Litrell’s personal visits was to Navy veteran Saul Vance, a Mansfield native and cancer patient. The two spoke like brothers and bonded over their past military feats. “I really appreciated you guys stopping by…I’m praying hard, trusting in the almighty. I want to live,” said Vance who served as a naval ordnanceman from 1955-60.

Litrell quietly answered back, “I’ll say a prayer for you tonight.”

Sadly, cases like Navy veteran Saul are not uncommon. Cancer has been known to strike those involved in the military mainly because of the foreign toxins that they are exposed to during their service. Specifically, mesothelioma cancer, a cancer caused by asbestos contact.

Veterans and mesothelioma unfortunately share a dangerous connection, in that war veterans occupy the largest group of diagnosed individuals. Their frequent contact with asbestos fibers in areas like naval shipyards such as Brooklyn Navy Yard and engine rooms in aircraft carriers, only to name a few, in turn had extremely hazardous health effects which would strike years later. The latency of diagnosis for mesothelioma ranges from 20-50 years after initial exposure.

Health hindrances caused by serving our country are tragic. Having visitors such as Litrell show their support and care for fellow soldiers is heartwarming. These veterans always have and always will treat and care for each other like family.

He continued on with his visit, stopping to meet and speak with veterans ranging from those in their 80’s to the young veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Litrell did spend extra time with those bearing the Vietnam War service caps, asking where and when they served.

Today, Litrell will be speaking at a luncheon at Barksdale Air Force Base. This will be leading up to the parade tomorrow where Litrell will serve as grand marshall of the Honor our Heroes parade at Bossier Parish Community College in Boosier City. This grand parade will be featuring area veteran groups and hundreds of military retirees and veterans from all modern wars. A chilling 3,000 flags will serve as the welcome for participants that day.