Veterans Services, American Legion Post 114 honor Purple Heart recipents
OAK HARBOR - On April 8, 1970, William “Bill” Sorg, a member of the 101st Airborne, was on patrol with seven other soldiers and an Army dog in the An Lao Valley of Vietnam. Sorg was about a month shy of 21, and in a brief moment, his life changed forever when the soldiers were ambushed in an enemy attack.
“I got caught with an explosive and was knocked out for 10 or 15 minutes. We lost a lieutenant, a dog handler and a dog, and six of us were wounded,” Sorg said.
Sorg, who suffered hearing loss, came home four months later a changed man.
“The trauma stays with me. April 8 comes around, and the six of us talk to each other,” he said.
Sorg earned a Purple Heart for his sacrifice and was one of eight Purple Heart recipients who were honored at the 2023 Ottawa County Purple Heart Dinner at the American Legion Post 114 in Oak Harbor. The dinner was cohosted by the Ottawa County Veterans Service Office.
The other Purple Heart recipients honored at the dinner along with Sorg were Richard Ashline, William Butzin, Gary Cagle, Matt Kaiser, James Kania, Reggie Langford and Terrence Rudes.
Purple Heart recipients 'get very little recognition'
“We just wanted to honor the Purple Heart recipients. They get very little recognition,” said Vietnam War veteran Chuck Beaver, who emceed the event.
The event began with a dinner prepared by members of American Legion Post 114, American Legion Auxiliary Post 114, American Legion Riders Post 114 and Sons of American Legion Post 114. The invocation and benediction were given by Joyce Brock, and "The Star Spangled Banner" was sung by Oak Harbor High School Choir member Tabitha Duncan. Ottawa County Commissioners Donald Douglas, Mark Stahl and Mark Coppeler attended the event to show their support of the Purple Heart recipients.
Guest speaker was American Legion District Commander Kevin Motter, who said that his life was impacted by veterans who invested in him after his father died when Motter was 11. He retired as an Army lieutenant in 2009.
“I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for veterans,” Motter said.
After a lifetime of service, Motter still feels the need to give back.
“The one thing that ties me to the veteran community is a sense of guilt. I didn’t give enough,” he told the Purple Heart recipients. “Some guys never came home. Others, like some of you, bled for their country. I do what I do because I owe you a debt.”
Nearly 40 businesses, organizations donate money and prizes
Motter’s desire to express gratitude to the Purple Heart recipients was reflected in the community support for the event. Nearly 40 businesses and organizations donated money and prizes.
The Purple Heart recipients walked away with a certificate of appreciation, a lapel pin, gifts and the gratitude of a community.
“This was great. It’s an honor. I sat with a young man who was in Afghanistan,” Sorg said. “I got to see how his service was. Everyone has a different war.”
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: Eight Purple Heart recipents honored at American Legion dinner
