Huck honored at Veterans Day breakfast

Friday, November 11, 2016
Dr. O.A. Huck was the recipient of Today's Featured Veterans award last Saturday at the annual Veterans Day Breakfast, sponsored by First State Community Bank of Portageville. Dr. Huck told how he spent three days on Hacksaw Ridge where the new war movie "Hacksaw Ridge" was filmed. -submitted photo

One local Portageville Veteran was recognized with the 2016 Today's Featured Veteran award on Saturday. Dr. O.A. Huck was presented with the award by his son, Joe Huck, at the annual Veterans Day Breakfast sponsored by the First Community State Bank, Portageville branch.

Dr. Huck was drafted straight out of high school at the age of 18. As a matter of fact, he was at Pearl Harbor the day of his high school graduation. He was then shipped to Okinawa where he served two years with the United States Army 10th Adjutant General Division. He earned the rank of Buck Sergeant and was in charge of all the classified correspondents for the entire island.

During his service, he earned the following citations and medals:

* Asiatic-Pacific Theater Victory Medal

* WWII Victory Medal

* Marksman Medal

* Good Conduct Medal

Upon returning home he attended the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. While attending college in 1949 he married his beautiful wife, June. He graduated in 1950 and in September opened his first and only Optometry practice in Portageville. He practiced for 43 years until his retirement in 1993.

Ryan Gill, a Portageville 2006 graduate spoke last Saturday morning at the annual Veterans Day Breakfast. The breakfast was held at the St. Eustachius Catholic Parrish.

He and his wife have six children: John, Jim, Joe, Judy, Jana, & Juanilla; 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren with one on the way.

He enjoys hunting, fishing, and most of all cooking.

Prior to his receiving his award, the opening prayer was conducted by Rev. Michael Loftin, and the Presentation and Posting of colors by the Missouri National Guard, 1221st Transportation Co.

Next, another Portageville veteran, Ryan Gill, was the main speaker.

Gill joined the Missouri Army National Guard and reported to Ft. Leonard Wood in February 2007 for Basic Combat & Advanced Individual Training as a 31Bravo-Military Police Officer. Upon completing initial training, he was assigned to the 1175th Military Police Company in preparation of deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom. While deployed from 2008-2009, the 1175th MP Co. conducted combat operations in Samarra & Mosul, Iraq as a Police Transition Training Team (PTT). Their PTT mission was an effort to develop training and mission readiness of Iraqi Police so as to ensure order and security in Iraqi cities.

In addition, following the devastating earthquake that occurred on the island nation of Haiti in 2010, Gill was activated and deployed to assist in humanitarian efforts across the island. The primary mission was to establish security for engineering units amidst an effort to rebuild schools.

Gill was deployed once again to Qatar during 2011-12 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as part of a security asset team providing base security screening for all vehicles and personnel entering and exiting the post.

The talented Kim Sams performed the National Anthem- "Star Spangled Banner" and then after the award presentation performed "America, the Beautiful"

Another portion of the program was a 1942 Military Jeep with history of its services from Gary Riley from the New Madrid County VFW Post 7183 based in Lilbourn, and offered rides to those requesting one.

After a few recognitions by Keith Grantham and prize drawings, the Rev. Loftin led in a closing prayer.

The breakfast was catered by Wilson's Catering.

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