Feb 13, 2008 7:40 am US/Mountain
Vietnam Vet Helps Other Soldiers With Prosthetics
DENVER (CBS4) ―
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Sgt. Stanley Agena was in the Army during Vietnam. Now he serves in the VA Hospital's prosthetics wing.
CBS
A 75-year-old Vietnam War veteran who lost his leg during heavy fighting in 1968 isn't letting his wounds slow him down. The amputee now works at the Denver VA Medical Center, helping design custom artificial limbs for fellow service members.
Sgt. Stanley Agena was in the Army during Vietnam. Now he serves in the VA Hospital's prosthetics wing.
"When I got hit, my leg was blown off, but it was barely hanging there," Agena said. "So I just ... crawling around helping the others."
He has been designing custom prosthetics since 1972. He's been at the VA Hospital for the past 7 years.
As an amputee, Agena knows what his fellow soldiers need.
"You got to know how it feels, where it hurts," he said. "These are the things I solve here."
Agena got his own artificial leg after being injured in Vietnam. He has continued to serve others for 27 years.
Inside his workshop, Agena showed off his newest leg which is complete with a custom dolphin. It is one of his many tributes to his native Hawaii.
With a new wave of wounded American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, Agena said his services are needed more than ever.
"I see the younger ones getting wounded and I'm helping them," he said. "It gives me a great feeling here. I'm very proud."
Agena is showing no sign of slowing down.
"I'm an American," he said. "I'm proud to be an American. Even though I had my leg blown off, I still want to serve as long as I can."
Feb. 10 to Feb. 16 is the 16th Annual National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week.
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