We’ve been overwhelmed with the stories our Arkansas veterans have submitted.
We wish we could give every one of you 10 free windows because you truly deserve it. Our citizens live securely because you chose to give up your safety and comfort to risk your lives for our freedom. And for that, you will never go unnoticed.
The decision was difficult because all of your stories were compelling and heartwrenching, but after a lot of thought, we have found our TWO winners.
Congratulations to:
Robert Shurbet – Vietnam War, Army, served for 4 years, 7 months, and 9 days
&
Charlie Chambers – Korean War, Army, served for 4 years
Here are their stories!
Robert Shurbet
“I was drafted in September 1967. I was trained in the infantry and went to Vietnam February 1968 and left in February 1969. I spent the year on search and destroy missions in the jungles and rice patties. What you call a grunt. I wont go into detail about what I saw and what I went through. When I came back to the states, I wandered around aimlessly for about 10 years trying to find myself again. I didn’t know what PTSD was, and as of now, I am 100% totally and permanently disabled due to PTSD and prostate cancer, caused by exposure to agent orange. I don’t know what else to say except thank you for considering me.”
Charlie Chambers
“During my tour in Korea, I faced situations that no one should ever have to endure. We were a part of what was called the ‘frozen chosen.’ I was a medic. It was my duty to retrieve all dead and wounded with the order ‘no one left behind.’ I witnessed my fellow brothers, after being captured by the Koreans, hung from trees and butchered like animals at slaughter. I still have nightmares and dreams of retrieving them. We were not issued proper attire and I received severe frostbite to both feet due to the extremely cold and harsh winter while we were there. We were limited to rationed water, so days went by with having only a sip of water to wet my lips.
Due to these few instances that I share with you, I have PTSD, and neuropathy in both feet, due to freezing, and to this day I ration my water intake because it was so drilled in our heads that water was a luxury we did not have. It is so very sad that this Korean War is not recognized as a war that happened. It is not mentioned when wars are being remembered. Many of my brothers need recognition for service in Korea. I’m 83 years old and it took all this time, from the end of my tour to the year of my 80th birthday, before I received compensation from the VA. I live month to month on social security and the portion of compensation I received from the military for all that I gave and suffered during my tour.”
Millions of American veterans, both present and past, have similar stories. With our busy schedules, we often don’t take the time to appreciate the people that keep us safe and enable us to live comfortably in America. Today, we’re doing that. So, congratulations to Charlie and Robert! This is one small way we can give back to you for everything you’ve given to us.
Happy Veterans Day to all of our soldiers! From all of us at Window World of Little Rock, thank you for your service and thank you for your time.