Former prisoner of war Alex Drueke honored in Veterans Day ceremony

Tuscaloosa native and former prisoner of war Alex Drueke was honored for his heroism Friday during ceremony in Northport

The Chief Tuskaloosa Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held an award ceremony at Northport Baptist Church on the day before the official recognition of Veterans Day. The ceremony also highlighted other Tuscaloosa area veterans.

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"Our whole goal is to promote patriotism, education and honor our military so today we wanted to celebrate our veterans," said Dawn Crocker, who serves as the Chief Tuskaloosa chapter regent.

During the ceremony, each veteran was gifted and wrapped in a quilt from the Quilts of Valor Foundation. The quilts were made by Drueke's mother, Bunny Drueke, and members of the Birmingham Quilters Guild.

Alex Drueke was presented with the DAR Eugenia Washington Medal for Bravery.

Alex Drueke, who along with Andy Huynh of Hartselle, returned to Alabama last year after spending more than 100 days in captivity. Drueke and Huynh were fighting with the Ukrainian army against the Russian invasion when they were taken captive in June 2022 in the Donetsk region. They were among 10 foreign nationals included Sept. 21, 2022, in a Saudi Arabia-mediated prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.

"Every one of our human rights were violated," Drueke told the Associated Press in a Sept. 30, 2022, story about . "We were tortured." He also said their captivity included execution threats, solitary confinement and food deprivation.

Alex Drueke said that he appreciates the love and support that he has received from the Tuscaloosa community during his captivity and since his release.

"I didn't do any of these things looking for thanks, or appreciation or honor, but the fact that I do receive so much love and support is incredible," said Drueke, who joined the U.S. Army Reserve after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and served two tours in Iraq.

Alex Drueke said that he plans to return to Ukraine in the spring.

"I found a unit that's training Ukrainian National Guard so I'm going to sign on with them and train troops," Alex Drueke said.

The DAR also awarded Tawanna Jones for her service and presented her with the DAR Distinguished Citizen Award.

"I am very grateful and honored," Jones said. "What I do, I don't do it for the awards, I do it because I love helping others and I'm just thankful that I got a heart for serving," she said.

Jones is a 20-year Veteran of the U.S. Army, retiring with the rank of sergeant first class. She served during the Vietnam and Gulf War eras.

Jones often spends her time volunteering at the VA Medical Center to assist veterans and their families. She also serves as a lifetime vice commander, women veterans coordinator, and chaplain of the Tuscaloosa Chapter 1 of the Disabled American Veterans and the treasurer/secretary of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 301 in Tuscaloosa.

In 2022, Jones was named the Vietnam Veterans of America Veteran of the Year for the City of Tuscaloosa and the state of Alabama Vietnam Veteran of the Year in 2023.

Also honored at the ceremony was Robert O'Brien, who served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1972.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alex Drueke, former prisoner of war in Ukraine, honored in Tuscaloosa