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117 ARW Leaders Present World War II Service Medals

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Jonathan Russell
  • 117th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
HOMEWOOD, Ala. --  Leaders from the 117th Air Refueling Wing presented a local World War II veteran his service medals here on Saturday.

Army Cpl. Andre Vanbrabant, 88, tried to get his medals replaced when they were nowhere to be found and was told that it would take two years to replace them.

Vanbrabant's son David, who lives in Phoenix, contacted Sen. Jeff Flake's office for help. Flake's office helped David get the medals quickly and contacted the 117 ARW when he asked if someone in the military could present them to his father.

Col. Cliff James, the 117 ARW Commander, Command Chief Master Sgt. David Bullard and several others from the base presented Vanbrabant his medals along with a 117 ARW coin. Vanbrabant's entire family was present during the ceremony at his residence in Homewood.