Veteran Salute: Decades after serving, but would still do it all again

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Decades after serving our country in Vietnam, one Kansas native still bears the scars of war. But this Purple Heart recipient says he would do it all again.

Terry Thomas demonstrated his commitment to service and to the country early on. He was in high school in the 1960s, when the Vietnam War was escalating.

He signed up for the draft just after his 18th birthday.

"When I graduated, I got my letter, 'come on down,'" Thomas said. Volunteering for the draft, they put you where they need you. So, they put me with the army.'

In Vietnam, Thomas served as an armored personnel carrier, rising to the rank of corporal, but a serious injury during combat took him out of action.

"The reason I didn't go back to Vietnam was when I got wounded, I had no ability with my arm and my hand," Thomas said. "I couldn't raise them for nothing,  so I had to go through three months in a hospital until I got it back. "

Despite losing two friends in the attack and his own life-long injuries, Thomas says the experience showed him life is a blessing.

He says his service is something that he is proud of, because he did it to help his country. And he would do it all again.

"Felt like I had a job to do, so. The real Heroes to me in the war was the two guys that died, you know? But I was just doing my job," Thomas said.

When the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall visited Emporia in August, Thomas tells 27 News that he was able to find the names of his friends who died beside him.

He now resides in lebo with his wife, traveling and keeping busy visiting family.

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