We are pleased to announce that PENNSYLVANIA Governor Rendell signed the Proclamation declaring
May 1st Silver Star Day.
Go here to see: Fox News 29 Article
Wounded Veterans Honored for Their Service
Last Edited: Tuesday, 01 May 2007, 5:49 PM EDT
Created: Tuesday, 01 May 2007, 5:49 PM EDT
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Operation First Response
By Bruce Gordon
This fourth anniversary of the declaration of "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq, reminds us that Americans have been fighting and dying in wars for more than two hundred years.
On Tuesday at the Willow Grove military base in Horsham, wounded veterans were honored for their service and their sacrifice for willingly risking life and limb, to protect others.
To the wailing of the bagpipes, they troop into the base rec center- family and friends lining their path.
They are young and old and older still...but they share one thing in common: they have all suffered wounds while in defense of their country.
Be it World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Afghanistan or Iraq, they answered the call, and paid a price, and so, on this day, they are awarded the Silver Star banner, in recognition of their sacrifice.
Leonard Wolper was a 19 year old kid when he went to Korea: "I had frostbite, a shoulder wound and my neck- a bullet through my neck. Doctor still tells me today, I was lucky. Just a young kid that was anxious to do the right thing...and I'm still proud of it today."
Operation First Response and Silverstar Families work to support wounded vets with medical, educational and financial assistance.
Heather Sliwinski says it is scarcely compensation for what these soldiers have endured. "The more I meet and learn about them, the more I am in awe of these great men and women. They are my heroes."
Men- and women- who have been ripped from their peaceful lives back home and sent to the middle of Hell, because- well, that was what they were ordered to do.
Kenneth Dockery was wounded in Bosnia. "It's a real devastating experience- an experience you never forget and you never want to relive. And my heart goes out to the people who are actually suffering, and trying to come out of it."
Not all have come back in one piece.
Tom Murtha told his wife and three children he was going to Vietnam. He came back with shrapnel in his skull and leg. Forty years later, he still carries the scars, but remembers what he told his family: "It's what I had to do, and that was the way it was going to be. And say prayers for me and I would make it through."
The men honored here obviously had no say in the specific war in which they served. Some conflicts were popular- even vital to our survival. Others, well, history may view them as monumental mistakes.
These wounded vets ask only that the folks back home remember to honor the warrior, even as they criticize the war.
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The Silver Star Banner and Flag is in no way connected to the Silver Star Medal
The Silver Star Families of America is a non-partisan, not-for-profit charitable organization committed to supporting the United States Wounded Military Members and Veterans from all wars, past and present, and honoring their sacrifice with Silver Star Banners.Content within this web site is the sole property of The Silver Star Families of America"All photos and letters sent to the SSFOA become the property of the organization to be used in any way we deem appropriate." SSFOA reserves the right to conduct the day to day business of the organization as they deem appropriate. State Coordinators and Reps will be chosen at the discretion of SSFOA National Headquarters. SSFOA is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit public charity organization. See your tax advisor.Questions/Comments Pertaining To This Web site CONTACT US
The Silver Star Families of America
~Pennsylvania~
Representative Bob McDowell
SILVER STAR DAY 2008
Patriot Robert A. McDowell of Prospect Park, Pennsylvania
is a 100% combat disabled Vietnam War Veteran who served,
and was wounded in action twice against an armed enemy while
serving as a member of The Special Forces. Since separating
and return to civilian life in from long-time active duty,
McDowell has been a strong and vocal advocate for
Veterans rights and Veterans benefits.
As an example of his enthusiasm in support of his
Brother-And-Sister War Veterans, he served as The Department
of Pennsylvania of The Military Order of the Purple Heart
Past Sr vice Commander, Adjutant, and currently Judge Advocate,
Commander of Philadelphia Chapter 63 Commander, a Volunteer
position that requires huge amounts of his personal time and often,
the use of personal funds.
As The Department former Adjutant, Patriot Robert A. McDowell upholds all of the virtues represented by The Chapel of Four Chaplains. He selflessly devotes between Sixty (60) to Eighty (80) hours each week enhancing and facilitating the Management of more than Twenty (20) Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) chapters spread throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
In addition to his other duties, Patriot McDowell developed The Department of Pennsylvania Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH63) WEB-site and he edits a statewide monthly bulletin.
His expertise, and his willingness to volunteer when needed resulted in his selection, from a wide choice of Volunteers from across the Country, to serve with The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) National Headquarters during the planning stages for relocation from Washington, D. C. to Oklahoma. His Managerial skills were paramount in the complex decision making process.
Patriot Robert A. McDowell is also active in The Pennsylvania Special Forces Association, 64 VP a select organization composed of Veterans with combat service as a Member of the very prestigious organization. He further, functions, again on his own time and without an remuneration as a Liaison to The United Service Organization (USa) and with the well known Philadelphia Veterans' Multi-Service and Education Center in downtown Philadelphia. The PVMS&E Center is a major service delivery agency with extensive responsibilities serving as a multi-county area offering occupational training and other services to the most difficult Veterans.
In his association with The PVMS&E Center, he is intricately involved in a major Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project and with a domicile operating in The Coatesville V A Medical Center. He is also active with, and respected by The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The 82nd Airborne Association. Not to mention 2006 Chapel of the Four Chaplain Gold Medal Medallion. PS this was a letter of nomination by Patriot Larry Babbits, Board of Directors for the Chapel of the four chaplains.
