FOR VETERANS DAY...

Pvt. Henry Ward

We've heard the veterans of World War Two, described as the greatest generation. Well, just a few years ago my grandfather was recognized and honored by the State of Arkansas for his service to his country. This was the introduction from that night....

The 32nd Infantry division fought 654 days in New Guinea and the Southwest Pacific. More than any other division in WW II.

The 32nd was the first Division to fight against the Japanese in the South West Pacific.
11 Medals of Honor, 157 Distinguished Service Crosses, 845 Silver Stars, 98 Air Medals, and 11,500 Purple Hearts were awarded it's heroes.

It was a background of fever-ridden swamps and jungles. Soldiers lay, day after day in waterlogged foxholes, or crawled through murderous fire toward enemy positions.

New Guinea was the story of the courage of GIs who could always be counted upon to move forward. It was the ordinary soldiers who endured the worst deprivations that the jungle climate could offer. It was the lowly GI who was the brains, the muscle, the blood, the heart and soul of the great army that came of age in the southwest Pacific in 1943 and 1944.

Fight after fight, he never lost a battle. Those accomplishments and sacrifices are forever his and deserve to be remembered by ALL Americans.

But it was not without it's price - over 14,000 soldiers were killed.

Japanese snipers were killing off most of A Companies soldiers as they attempted to cross a river on a rope guide. That's when one soldier, convinced his platoon leader that he could go up river and lead his squad across by swimming against the currents, and utilize them to bouy across. He had learned these swimming skills as a young boy, swimming across Red River in Miller County Arkansas, and yes, he was successful in their crossing and they quickly defeated the Japanese snipers and took out all of the enemy machine-gun nests.

Many of these young Americans were killed trying to cross the river, but that young soldier from Miller County survived the horrors of WW II, and he is here tonight. He was sent to an Army Hospital in poor physical condition, and with total hearing loss in one ear. After several months of medical care, he ws shipped home, and he has worked for the last 60 years running a successful business, and providing for his family.

Ladies and gentleman it is my honor to introduce, a true American Hero from WW II...
Pvt. Henry Ward.

My Grandfather is gone now, and I miss him. I never actually just said, "Thank You" to him for his service to our country. I wish I had. I want to say Thank You to all of our American veterans. Thank you for what you did, for what you are doing now, and what you would surely do again if asked. Thank You.