Purple Heart Cane Ceremony

[mikesuldo]

My son and I went to The Seal Museum in Ft Pierce, FL last week and received beautiful hand carved eagle topped Purple Heart canes from the Indian River Woodcarvers club in a very impressive and moving ceremony for about 30 people plus about a hundred spectators.  We were proud and humbled to be in the company of WWII Vets, Korean War Vets, and other real Hero's.

 I tried to put a picture of one of the canes on here but don't seem to be able to do it; you can go to their website and see them.

 The Seal Museum was great with a wall tribute to the Seawolves and a quote that said the only reason they could do the things they did in Vietnam was because they always knew we were there to back them up.

Made getting shot, almost, but not quite, worth it.

Regards

Mike Suldo

[Dan Arnes]

[Michael Dobson]

Congrats Mike !

[Jim Plona]

Good on you Mr. Suldo.

Frog

[David Smale]

Mike, to share this honor with your son had to be incredibly special. Something you both will savor forever. And fortunately you both returned still green side up. Frog if anyone else deserves this you sure do.

[Larry Rogers]

Mike, did you and your son both receive canes?

[mikesuldo]

Yes, Jon Suldo. He was with the Army in Iraq and got blown up by IED in 2006. He got concussion, lost ear drum and hearing in one ear and Traumatic Brain Injury. 30% disability. The 2 guys with him were medically retired with 100%. The top Gunner was blown completely out of the Humvee and the other guy was unconscious. Jon was Driving. He drug the other guy out and held off the bad guys until friendlies arrived. Made me proud.
I just got shot - mine was easy
Mike

[Larry Rogers]

Mike, you should be able to capture these pics from here. If not, send me your snail mail and I will send you a disk with the full res pics.

[DAVID JOHNSON]

God bless you Mike, hope to see and the cane in san diego

[mikesuldo]

I'd love to go but I work for Bell helicopters and travel someplace in the world every month for a week to 10 days; unfortunately I'll be in China in early Sept. I have gotten to travel back to Vietnam 3 times recently, two to Saigon and 1 to Hanoi, all to work with Vietnam helicopters, the only helo company there. It was interesting. They currently use the old Nam Can solid anchor base as a refueling stop to go 300nm offshore to the south. Brought back Det 1 memories, but our hootches were gone.
thanks
Mike