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Poplar Bluff veteran recognized for Korean War service
“He was in the Marines for four years, and he was in Korea for one of those years. Being a Marine was very important to him.” Those were the words of Clara Levart as she spoke about her husband, Paul Levart.
He currently resides at Cedargate Healthcare in Poplar Bluff, and is receiving hospice care.
The decision was made by the We Honor Veterans Coalition of the Heartland to officially recognize Paul Levart on Monday with a certificate and a pinning ceremony commemorating his service as a Marine during the Korean War.
The local Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter (VVA) 1056 lined the hallway at Cedargate, with each member saluting Paul Levart as they officially extended a hearty. “Welcome home.”
“This is the first time we’ve been invited to an event like this,” VVA Chapter 1056 President Larry Kimbrow explained. “We hope that more of these events are scheduled in the future, and we hope to be a part of those as well.”
Kimbrow, a Navy veteran, noted that there are likely many veterans of the Korean War who also did not receive a welcome home after returning home from the war.
Paul Levart’s family watched the ceremony through tear-filled eyes as Megan McGowen with Elara Caring read the lyrics of the Marines’ Hymn.
“I’m getting choked up by this, myself. Excuse me,” McGowen exclaimed after she read the lyrics.
McGowen also recognized Paul Levart’s family members, who are also veterans of the US military, by presenting each of them with a star patch. She then presented Paul Levart with a certificate of acknowledgment and pinned a US Flag pin on his shirt.
“This really means a lot to him, and it means a lot to all of us,” Clara Levart noted after the ceremony. “I’m so glad they were able to do this. We have family that has traveled here for this from Ohio and Pennsylvania. It’s very emotional.”