'You're talking with history': Milwaukee VA celebrates local army veteran on National Medal of Honor Day

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On a rainy and cold Monday morning, dozens of people are surrounding a table where a massive blue-and-white frosted sheet cake sits. 

But they're not there for the sweet treat.

Instead, the spotlight is on the man in a wheelchair serving up the slices.

"It's like my birthday all over again!" said Gary George Wetzel.

Wetzel, who was born in South Milwaukee in the 1940s, is a Vietnam War era army veteran.

“You don’t realize what goes on in the battlefield. Men yelling for their mamas, daddies, their girlfriends, it’s horrendous," Wetzel told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White. 

Wetzel, who served as a Specialist Fourth Class, was working as a door gunner aboard a helicopter when two enemy rockets exploded nearby.

He lost his left arm and was severely wounded throughout his body, but was able to return fire, aid his fellow injured crewmates, and help bring everyone to safety.

"You never think you're going to be in that situation where it's life or death," Wetzel said. "50 years later, I'm still here."

For his courageous efforts, Wetzel was awarded a Medal of Honor, an Air Medal and a Purple Heart.

"I'm extremely proud and happy just to be here," Wetzel said. "Hopefully I represent this Medal of Honor well for what it stands for."

And judging by the long line of people inside of the Milwaukee VA waiting for a chance to speak with him or look at the blue ribbon around his neck, he is.

March 25 marks National Medal of Honor Day, established by Congress in the 64r57894590s as a way to celebrate our heroes who have earned the prestigious award.

“It’s so cool because you’re actually talking with history," said Marina Bourantas who works with the local VA. “For anyone who dedicates their time and service to our country, they should always be recognized.”

Currently, only 63 individuals nationwide who have received the Medal of Honor are still living.

"We're just in awe of what he's done and how much sacrifice he's put in," Bourantas said. "We're doing this with our Medal of Honor recipient to really highlight his story because most people wouldn't actually know."

For the better part of an hour, Wetzel proudly sat and shook the hands of other veterans and civilians who were "honored" by the chance to meet him.

“Am I brave? I don’t know if I can answer that," Wetzel said. "People needed help and I tried to do the best that I could."