Posted on Dec 31, 2016 in
HOMETOWN HEROES
Larry Guerra.
By Joan Frances –
In Fort Bend County, people generously give their time to helping the less fortunate. One such resident is military veteran Larry Guerra, who has devoted his time to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #4010 in Stafford. The charter for the post was granted by the state of Texas on October 2, 1966 and was named after Frank Cangelosi, the first soldier from Stafford who died fighting in World War II. Eligibility for membership is open to all veterans who served honorably in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard and served in any foreign war, insurrection or expedition.
At 72 years young, Guerra has lived a very busy life. He joined the Marines at age 21 and spent 13 months in Vietnam. After sustaining a serious injury and recovering, Guerra was awarded the Purple Heart. He traveled back to Texas and married his wife, Angie. They have two daughters and four grandchildren. Guerra and his family eventually moved to Stafford to work for Texas Instruments as an engineering technician.
Ray Aguilar, Larry Guerra, Patti Parish-Kaminski and Jeff Sebastian.
“After I retired, I had a buddy who volunteered and worked with the VFW Post,” said Guerra. “He would talk about how fulfilling it was and encouraged me to help too. When he died suddenly, I decided I wanted to take his place.” Guerra has ardently filled his friend’s place for the past five years.
Every second Thursday of the month, Guerra travels with a group of men, ladies and students to the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston to bring food to the patients. “We buy Church’s Chicken and give it out until all of the food is gone. Everyone loves that chicken. It is a good change from the hospital food.
“I see all ages, young and old, all nationalities and all kinds of injuries. Several of the vets are sick, and they get free hospital care there. Some of the men and women are there from the war with injuries from guns and bombings. We give them all special attention and make sure each veteran knows we appreciate all they have done for America, and they are grateful that we support them.”
Guerra and his group distribute food to 30 to 40 patients and visit with each one. ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) high school students and an officer from different schools in Fort Bend Independent School District rotate all year long. Guerra said, “The kids learn so much by helping out. They see firsthand the damages war can do, but they also see how proud the injured are to be American citizens. The kids will do anything to help the veterans feel appreciated.”
In addition to graciously donating his time at the hospital, Guerra helps with the fundraisers at the post. His family is involved as well. “We have a barbecue cook-off and a fish fry every year to generate money to buy the food. The community donates money and items for a big garage sale as well. When people find out it is for our veterans, they step up to help in any way they can. It is so fulfilling and enjoyable to help my fellow veterans.” Guerra is a member of the American Legion in Sugar Land and the Disabled American Veterans in Rosenberg. The community thanks Guerra for all he does – past, present and future.
