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South Sound recognizes Real Heroes

May- 4-2006 » Filed Under: 1/25 SBCT

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By Lisa Pemberton, The Olympian

Military Hero: Sgt. Walt Gaya

Sgt. Walt Gaya’s love and pride for his country is undeniable, but it has come at a high price and much self-sacrifice.

Last July, while he was deployed in Iraq, a roadside bomb tore apart the hull of Gaya’s combat vehicle wounding all nine men inside. As he rushed to help the other soldiers escape from the burning vehicle, Gaya felt a deep throbbing in his leg. The explosion had lodged pieces of shrapnel in his leg and shredded ligaments in his knee.

Despite his incredible pain, Gaya helped secure the perimeter around the damaged vehicle.

He was so thankful to have survived the bombing. Then his vision began to blur and he felt a sharp pain in his left eye as he tried to focus. Bits of bomb fragment from the explosion had pierced his eye.

While Gaya was transported to a hospital in Germany, the possibility that he might lose his vision became a reality.

After several surgeries and doctor’s visits, Gaya’s vision is still impaired in his left eye but he is determined not to let it deter him from living out his dream as a photographer.

Gaya is proud to have served in Iraq for eight months with the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment of the Stryker Brigade. [...]

This is the 10th year the Mount Rainier Chapter of the American Red Cross — which serves Thurston, Mason and Pierce counties — has held a Real Heroes breakfast.

The event usually draws about 600 people and raises tens of thousands of dollars in donations. Organizers set a goal of $60,000 for this year, which will go toward South Sound disaster relief and emergency preparedness programs, according to spokeswoman Karen Kim.

The honorees were nominated by community members for their bravery, selflessness and quick thinking during emergencies that took place in 2005.


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