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Holland Sentinel: Huizenga awards Holland vet Barry McAlpine medals earned in Vietnam
Washington,
May 2, 2013
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Veterans Affairs
Huizenga awards Holland vet Barry McAlpine medals earned in Vietnam
The Holland Sentinel - Andrea Goodell - May 1, 2013 It’s been at least 40 years since Barry McAlpine saw the medals he earned as a staff sergeant in Vietnam. His ex-wife sold them in a garage sale, McAlpine said. Wednesday, the Holland chiropractor was reunited with his Silver Stars, Purple Hearts, Bronze Star and others as Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Holland, presented several area veterans with medals. It was two years between someone asking McAlpine about his medals during a Hope Academy of Senior Professionals history presentation and this week. McAlpine was discharged in 1967 after spending a year in combat as a scout and being wounded three times. “My life has certainly been defined by that one year in combat,” he said. “You find out a lot about yourself and what you’re capable of doing.” |