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Fallen Soldier Honored At Veteran's Day Parade

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Nov 7, 2009 6:48 pm US/Mountain

Fallen Soldier Honored At Veteran's Day Parade

Written by Andrea Lopez

Reporting
Andrea Lopez
DENVER (CBS4) ― The Veteran's Day parade in downtown Denver held extra special meaning to some people attending this year. A local, fallen soldier was honored with a Bronze Star for his service and his ultimate sacrifice. Also, the shootings at Fort Hood were on the minds of many who were watching the parade and supporting both past and current service men and women.

The Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for Valor in combat was presented to the wife of Army Staff Sgt. Wesley Hunter at the Denver Civic Center Park just before the parade got underway. On Feb. 26, 2006, Hunter was patrolling an area northwest of Baghdad and his platoon was ambushed. Hunter directed his gunner to pour machine gun fire into the ambush. The enemy, however, was still able to detonate an improvised explosive device, severely wounding Hunter and two other soldiers. Hunter continued to return fire despite his numerous shrapnel wounds and with complete disregard for his own safety, trying to protect his vehicle and men. Once the enemy fire stopped, Hunter began providing medical aid to his soldiers and stabilized them until the other truck from his section reached them. He refused medical treatment until he knew that his soldiers were taken care of; both, however, lost their lives.

Hunter fought to recover for two years, but eventually died of his wounds on Sept. 18, 2008 at Fort Hood, Texas. He was buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver. He left behind his wife, Rayanne, his son, Westlin, and his daughter, Tavie. They were at the ceremony, along with his parents, to receive his Bronze Star.

"I've always felt my husband deserved it and he knew that he did," said Rayanne Hunter. "He just felt he was doing his job and he was good friends with those guys -- he was just helping the guys."

Hunter said she's glad the ceremony coincided with Veteran's Day to help her two children tie it all together.

"It was nice that it worked out that way," she said. "It means a lot. It's something where the kids can come and tie it all together and know that this relates to this. They are very proud of what their dad did and the U.S. flag. To go to things like this means a lot to me, to show them, and add to that pride and patriotism."

Colorado's fallen service men and women were honored in a ceremony following the parade at the Veteran's Memorial. According to parade organizers, 360 Coloradans and Fort Carson soldiers have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since the wars began.

(© MMIX CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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