Witzke Wood

Note: the picture of MG Worley making the presentation would not copy. jack
 
“Retired Maj. Gen. Robert M. Worley II presents former 1st Lt. Edward Moppert with a Purple Heart medal Nov. 26, 2011, at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Moppert was wounded and held as a prisoner of war during World War II, and he was never presented with nor did his records reflect receiving the medal. Worley and members of the Air Force Analysis Assessments & Lessons Learned at the Pentagon, worked with Defense Department officials to get his official records corrected. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Raheem Moore)

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Almost 67 years after being shot down during a bombing raid during World War II, former 1st Lt. Edward J. Moppert Jr. received his Purple Heart medal Nov. 26 at the World War II Memorial here.

A few years ago, Moppert's daughter, Lorene Moppert-Keipper, started organizing his military records and realized he was never formally presented his Purple Heart medal. Through a friend of her husband's, she contacted Maj. Fred Hixson at Air Force Analysis Assessments & Lessons Learned (A9) at the Pentagon and asked if there was anything he could do. Hixson enlisted the help of his co-workers and went about the task of getting the medal presented to Moppert.

Moppert-Keipper's plan was to get her father presented the medal at the World War II memorial here on his 90th birthday. Working with the volunteers from A9, they were able to make this request a reality.

Working behind the scenes, Hixson and Sheila Mulhern, in concert with their team were able to put together the ceremony honoring Moppert's service. Next up was to have the medal presented to Moppert, and retired Maj. Gen. Robert M. Worley II, the former Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs, volunteered.

"I was very excited for my dad, as I know how proud he was to serve his country in World War II", Moppert-Keipper said.

When Moppert and his family arrived at the memorial, they were greeted by Worley, Hixson and Mulhern and he was told he would be formally receiving his Purple Heart.  
 
Worley officially presented Moppert with his Purple Heart, and he was also presented with an Eagle Cane. The cane, which is presented to veterans injured in combat, was presented by retired Master Sgt. Hank Cloutier.

"It was an honor for me to present Lieutenant Moppert with his Purple Heart," Worley said. "He is a part of the greatest generation and part of Air Force history. Without the sacrifices of Airmen like Lieutenant Moppert, our Air Force would not be the greatest air and space force in the world." 

Moppert served as an Army Air Force bombardier on a B-24 Liberator during a raid over an oil refinery in Germany. While parachuting from the heavily damaged aircraft, he was shot in the foot while landing. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war for almost seven months at the infamous Stalag Luft I allied POW camp in Barth, Germany.

He was liberated from Stalag Luft I in May 1945 and repatriated back to the U.S. He served another year on active duty and was honorably discharged a year later. Moppert was contacted by the pilot from his last mission, and told him to expect his Purple Heart in the mail in a few weeks. The medal arrived with his name engraved on the back, epaulets and a lapel pin in an embossed leather case, but it was never officially presented.

When asked how he felt about finally being presented with his Purple Heart, Moppert said "I was a bit overwhelmed, very proud and elated. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and I enjoyed the entire ceremony. I loved meeting all those that were in attendance and felt very special being in the company of all in uniform."

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=12

Here's a bit about Cliff Reeder and his canes. Cliff was a WW-2 MSG in the USMC, serving in
 the South Pacific during WW-2. Cliff, now 90 years young is still carving canes, crosses and small Santa’s that he gives to special groups. He makes small wooden crosses each year to give to the confirmation classes at his church.  Cliff also makes crosses out of copper to give to friends and to send overseas to our troops.
 
He carves all the requested data onto the canes and does his own painting. He
has also cooperated with other carvers to produce a cane. A good example of this
is CPL Kendra Lou Coleman’s cane, which was made in 3 sections with the middle being cherry. Norb Hartman, also from the CCG, carved the eagle head for this cane.
Another interesting cane is the one he carved for CPL Bradford. The handle is not an eagle but was made especially for the vet who was blinded and is a double
amputee. Cliff traveled to CPL Bradford’s base to meet him and later made the cane for him according to his requests.
Cliff has been in the cane program since '06 and has provided many canes for the
Burn Center in San Antonio as well as for vets at Walter Reed and Bethesda and in many
other places.
Thanks Cliff!! jack

This is a letter that Gordy sent Richard, click on the URL to see the full story that was presented. jack

Hello "Wolf,"  hope things are ok on your end.  I have spent the last two days signing books at a "Healing Field"
for the anniversary of 911.
 
In case you get bored, here is a link to a news interview that aired on the 10:00pm news here in Utah, last night
for the Sept 11th special they were doing.
 
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=17207293
 
If you look close, when you see me standing by a painting of the flag raising at ground zero, Look at the picture
hanging on the wall next to the top right corner of the painting... it is the Photo of your Dad getting an award
from the Mayor of New York, and you in the background (punk ass kid you were... ha, ha. You know I am kidding).
 
It is one of my very favorite photos.  I sure miss you my friend!
 
Be Well Brother... Tell Marsha "Hello,"
"Gordy"