Gift of Life Howie’s House Cares for a Special Veteran
To honor Veterans today, we want to share Vernie’s story, a Veteran from the US Army who is a guest here at the Gift of Life Howie’s House! “We miss serving in the military because it was really special to be able to help people.” – Vernie and Vernon Now the Gift of Life Howie’s […]
To honor Veterans today, we want to share Vernie’s story, a Veteran from the US Army who is a guest here at the Gift of Life Howie’s House!
“We miss serving in the military because it was really special to be able to help people.” – Vernie and Vernon
Now the Gift of Life Howie’s House’s turn to help, they have made this veteran’s transplant journey easier! Vernie Flores (left) and his family is originally from the Philippines and currently works as a civilian in the United States Army. He and his wife, Carla, traveled to Philadelphia from their home in Central NJ in the hopes of receiving a liver transplant. The Gift of Life Howie’s House is their “home away from home” while he is undergoing a liver transplant evaluation.
Vernie’s brother, Vernon (right), flew in from the Philippines where he now resides to be a support and caregiver for his brother during the week of transplant evaluation.
Both Vernie and Vernon are retired from the US Armed Forces. Vernie spent eight years with the army, four of which he spent stationed in Korea. In fact, he just returned to the US from his service in Korea just two years ago. Vernon is retired from the US Navy after 20 years of service. He served three tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan. Both brothers miss serving in the military because it was really special for them to be able to help people.
Vernie hopes that after he receives a life-saving transplant he will be able to continue working with the Army.
Between the entire family they have more than 75 years in the US Armed Forces. Their grandfather served in WWII and their father served in the Vietnam War. Their sister and uncle were also in the Armed Forces and Vernie’s son just joined the US Marines in June of 2015.
Veterans Day is a national public holiday that is always celebrated on November 11th . Declared a holiday by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, the holiday celebrates all members of the US Armed Services. Many Americans celebrate today by attending ceremonies or celebrations that honor their troops. In fact, the city of Philadelphia just hosted its first official Veterans Day Parade this year. Check out the video here!
