James Hufnall, a WWII Veteran and resident of a VA Community Living Center in Kerrville, Texas started his Thursday in September like most others. Breakfast and a break outside for some fresh air.
What he saw this morning outside the entrance to the CLC were four magnificent steeds. It brought a smile to his face.
Although the CLC takes extraordinary care of all their residents, Hufnall is a bit special. He recently joined a very exclusive club, becoming a centenarian with his 100th birthday in September.
The staff in Kerrville wanted to something special for him. He was a member of the 1st Cavalry, and after some logistical legwork, recreation therapist, Robert Livingston said it all started to come together. “I asked Mr. Hufnall if he would like to see the 1st Cavalry if he could get them out, he replied, ‘as long as they bring the horses,’” Hufnall responded.
Livingston said he began coordinating with the 1st Cavalry Horse Detachment out of Ft. Hood which began honoring its parent unit in 1972. Hufnall remains on their rolls and they were delighted and jumped at the opportunity to honor one of their oldest living members.
“We keep that history alive and show people they still matter,” said Sgt. Natalie Ramirez, a member of the Horse Cavalry Detachment honor guard. “These Veterans see us and remember the importance of what they’ve done.”
Along with “Fort Sam’s Own” the 323d Army Band, who provided patriotic music throughout, it was a military celebration with all the pomp and circumstance many of the CLC residents haven’t experienced in decades.
An army of nurses began wheeling out the CLC residents, forming them up under cover to witness the posting of the colors by the horse detachment.
The horses rode in across the makeshift parade field, bearing a sharp and synchronized left turn, their riders in the recognizable 1st Cavalry Stetsons. They stopped right before the crowd. Hufnall was taking it all in, smiling widely from watching the horses in action after such a long hiatus.
Hufnall was a horse man at an early age, the love of animals was a constant while growing up. Horses are one of the things that has bonded Hufnall to his Primary Care Provider (PCP), Dr. Felipe Casabar. Casabar said his love for horses drew him to the 1st Cavalry. He donates his pension to the unit and considers them family, Casabar said.
Casabar said that horses aren’t the only reason the two of them hit it off immediately. One of Hufnall’s most important missions was landing in Leyte with Gen. Douglas MacArthur to liberate the capital city of Manila and the imprisoned death marchers of Bataan.
One of the marchers was Casabar’s father.
“We became good friends, I consider him like my father,” Casabar said. “I see him almost every day.”
After the equestrian grand entrance, Hufnall was in store for another surprise. Since his original Purple Heart that he received in the Pacific theatre in the mid-40s had not survived a lifetime of moves, Byron Warren, Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, presented, and pinned, a new medal on Hufnall’s chest to the applause of guests, staff and his fellow residents.
Then the best part came for Hufnall. The four members of the detachment split up and disbursed through the crowd of onlookers so they could pet and touch the horses. Hufnall was wheeled up first, and immediately reached out to make contact. The horse reciprocated, gently nudging his hand. They spent some moments together, calm and enjoying each other’s company.
The meet and greet morphed into equine therapy as each Veteran, some a bit apprehensive, reached out to touch a muzzle which turned into a smile and excitement.
Casabar takes advantage of his affliction for horses. “When he starts acting out because of his PTSD, or starts to get depressed, I spend time with him and we watch horse racing,” Casabar said.
COVID-19 has been tough on all of the CLC residents because of their high-risk status, so the entire staff from VA Police, nursing, engineering and environmental management services came out en force and was very eager to make sure their Veterans had a chance to finally celebrate together.
{jcomments on}