BAKERSFIELD, CA-- A Bakersfield man finally received military medals he is due for his service in Vietnam, 44 years later. Alexander Luque was awarded six medals by Congressman David Valadao, including a Bronze Star, in a special ceremony Friday.
"It’s just a great sense of relief that I finally received them, " Luque said.
In 1968 Luque was drafted into the Army but initially served in Germany because he had a older brother already serving in Vietnam at the time with the Marines.
After losing friends in the war he felt it was his duty to volunteer for a tour in Vietnam. Knowing what his mother went through with two sons in combat, Luque wished she was still alive to see him receive his medals.
"I know she went through a lot.," Luque said. “I know she is smiling down from heaven.”
About 15 years ago Luque started the paperwork with the veterans administration to receive physical copies of the six medals he was due. Health conditions due to exposure to the chemical known as agent orange hampered his efforts in dealing with the VA. Luque's wife suggested he contact Congressman Valadao. The congressman was able to get the medals in two weeks.
"It is something that needs to be taken care of,” Valadao said. “These men fought for our county , fought for our freedom and we need to make sure these men and women are taken care of. So we are lucky enough to step in and make a difference."
Congressman Valadao encourages any veteran who is having a tough time with the VA to call his office or Congressman Kevin McCarthy's office as well.
Luque plans to pass on his medals to his children and grandchildren. So they will always remember what our country's servicemembers had to endure in Vietnam.
"It’s just a great sense of relief that I finally received them, " Luque said.
In 1968 Luque was drafted into the Army but initially served in Germany because he had a older brother already serving in Vietnam at the time with the Marines.
After losing friends in the war he felt it was his duty to volunteer for a tour in Vietnam. Knowing what his mother went through with two sons in combat, Luque wished she was still alive to see him receive his medals.
"I know she went through a lot.," Luque said. “I know she is smiling down from heaven.”
About 15 years ago Luque started the paperwork with the veterans administration to receive physical copies of the six medals he was due. Health conditions due to exposure to the chemical known as agent orange hampered his efforts in dealing with the VA. Luque's wife suggested he contact Congressman Valadao. The congressman was able to get the medals in two weeks.
"It is something that needs to be taken care of,” Valadao said. “These men fought for our county , fought for our freedom and we need to make sure these men and women are taken care of. So we are lucky enough to step in and make a difference."
Congressman Valadao encourages any veteran who is having a tough time with the VA to call his office or Congressman Kevin McCarthy's office as well.
Luque plans to pass on his medals to his children and grandchildren. So they will always remember what our country's servicemembers had to endure in Vietnam.
