This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Holguin, Leyva Classification: military Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/4702/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Las Cruces Sun News 09/01/2010 Vado Vietnam veteran gets Purple Heart LAS CRUCES - The old motto is fitting. John Holguin, a Vado resident who served in Vietnam, softly repeated it Wednesday as he looked at the medal pinned on the left side of his sports coat. "Better late than never," said Holguin. "They had that right." The same phrase was uttered just minutes before by U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Bryan Sargent, of Battery D 2nd Battalion 14th Marine Regiment, as he pinned Holguin with the Purple Heart. It was an award Holguin had coming to him since he was wounded in the face from shrapnel on Dec. 6, 1967 in the Demilitarized Zone, the area that separated North and South Vietnam. Holguin stood at attention as the orders awarding him the Purple Heart were read to the large gathering at Veterans Memorial Park. Off to the side, family members stood silently, some smiling, all of them proud. "I feel very good for him," said Holguin's mother, Nati Holguin. "I am so very, very proud of him." Holguin's sister, Hope Leyva, was filled with emotions and memories as her brother accepted well wishes and congratulations from people who attended the brief ceremony. "As he got that medal, I was thinking about two incidents," Leyva said. "I remembered the day he left for Vietnam I saw my dad crying, and I'd never seen him cry before. He knew exactly what my brother was going through. He said pray (John) comes back. "The second thing was one time when it was raining. There was this big clap of thunder and I remember seeing my father lying on the ground. The sound reminded him of the bombing he experienced during World War II." Holguin said the phrase reminded him of his father and the efforts that ultimately led to the Bronze Star being awarded to him. "He waited 55 years to get his Bronze Star," said Holguin, of his father. Holguin's son, Gabe, said he was excited for his father's military honor. "Growing up, dad always talked about the event," Gabe Holguin said. "Hearing that story and being here to see this finally happen, I can easily say that I'm very proud him." Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.