TEMPLE, TX — The Central Texas Veterans Health Care System took the time Friday to recognize a handful of former prisoners of war and missing in action veterans.
The luncheon was all about highlighting their personal sacrifices.
Former Lieutenant Commander Paul Shealy proudly served the United States for 30 years. The Navy veteran was captured during World War II.
"Pretty rough. They didn't put chocolate on the pillows at night, beat the hell out of ya," Shealy recalled.
The team from the Temple VA reported that as of July 29, 2019, the number of Americans missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam war is nearly 2,000. Almost 100 of them live in Texas.
During Friday's ceremony, the group honored a handful of those former prisoners of war.
"So for them, it was just, they were doing what they were supposed to be doing, but for us, it means everything. So today I just thank you, and you know, give them some affection and let them really know we care about them," said Courtney Ma'at.
During the ceremony, the veterans received coins on behalf of an area congressmen.
"Feels real good, feels real good. I drove all the way up here from Conroe," said Shealy.
