On November 15, 2015, Chaplain Mazelle Hughes, from the Hospice Mission Healthcare Center, called the Office of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee to request help in obtaining the Purple Heart Medal for one of its residents – Mr. Earl James Barnes.
Mr. Barnes served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and in 1961, he was injured while in the line of duty. It took a little over 4 years for Mr. Barnes to recover from his combat wounds. Mr. Barnes had been very sick and wanted to receive his well-deserved Purple Heart medal before passing away. Mr. Barnes wanted to be buried with his medal.
The office of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee interceded, through Congressional Military Liaison Daniel Espinoza, to obtain the Purple Heart on behalf of Mr. Barnes.
On December 21, 2015, over 54 years after being injured in combat, Mr. Barnes finally had his wish granted and received his Purple Heart medal. Congresswoman Jackson Lee had the distinct honor of pinning the Purple Heart medal on the grateful, yet emotional, Mr. Barnes, who shed plenty of tears after finally getting credit for his courageous actions in the Vietnam War.
Please join the Houston Forward Times (HFT) in congratulating Mr. Earl James Barnes for his bravery in fighting on behalf of his country and for receiving this much-deserved honor.