HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - More than 60 wounded veterans are in the Rocket city this week, being honored for their service to our country. "We're telling them that you are special and you're important. And, we thank you for your sacrifice," says Ret. LTC Dave Johnson of the Semper Fi Task Force.
That message echoed loud and clear for the wounded warriors as they were escorted to the Westin at Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville. "Having all those guys in the motorcycles leading us, it was just an honor," says Sgt. Roland Zamora, a wounded warrior. "I've been a two time veteran and I've never had anything like that."
One of the riders, Willie Simmons, adds, "It's our opportunity as old veterans to give back to these young men and women who are continuing to carry the banner and protect our freedom."
The wounded servicemen and women who arrived throughout the day, later gathered for an official reception, where a proclamation from Governor Robert Bentley was read declaring this week Heroes' week across the state of Alabama. Organizers say it's only appropriate that the Rocket City lead the way in honoring those heroes. "Huntsville has always been a very patriotic community and has always supporter their veterans," says Johnson.
Those veterans say that support does not go unnoticed. "They forget that there's another world out here and they get to thinking that nobody really cares anymore. So, it's pretty awesome to come down here and see this," says wounded warrior, Sgt. Raymond Mackey.
