Fewer World War II Vets

Veteran’s Day is a day of reflection. It is a day set aside to recognize and appreciate sacrifice, and express thanks to all those who served in the United States Military in defense of this nation.
Veteran’s Day was first celebrated to remember the end of World War I and was originally known as Armistice Day. President Woodrow Wilson declared it to be a national holiday on November 11, 1919. Today, Veteran’s Day is a time not only to remember those of World War I but to remember all who served in the United States Military.
Unfortunately as time goes by, those who deserve our appreciation are often forgotten except by immediate family and friends.
The passage of time has a tendency to bury history under layers of current priority and those who should be remembered often are forgotten and their sacrifices unappreciated.
There are literally hundreds of thousands of individuals who individually and collectively deserve our sincerest thanks for their sacrifices.
Such an individual, one of many from our own area, is Juan J. Vijil. Juan was a simple Private First Class, PFC. But courage knows no rank as this individual was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross for his action on the Luzon Island in the Philippines during World War II.
“The Distinguished Service Cross (see photo) is the second highest military award that can be given to a member of the United States Army... for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force...”
PFC Vijil’s official citation shares that although he was wounded in the chest, “PFC Vijil, on his own and without supporting fire, charged directly into a machine gun nest on Mount Bilbil that was pinning down his platoon and killed the enemy solders manning it.
“As lead scout of his platoon, he trudged ahead of his tense comrades. Without any regard for his own safety, he advanced alone and without supporting fire...
“Charging directly into the face of the enemy, he felt their lead tear into his chest.”
While the memory of PFC Vijil heroics are public record, it is his family, particularly his son Paul R. Vijil, who has kept this heroic legacy alive.
“He was a hero in my heart and my eyes,” said Paul.