Throughout our Flags for Heroes campaign, we've had the privilege of learning about the incredible veterans who have served our country with courage and dedication. These stories, filled with sacrifice and resilience, serve as a powerful reminder of the true meaning of patriotism.
We’re honored to share the story of Paul Martin Gring Jr., a true American hero, a Vietnam Veteran and the only living P.O.W. in our county.
Story submitted by Tony Gring: "Here's a Vietnam Veteran and also the only P.O.W still alive in our county. He did 4 tours in Vietnam. He is missing some of his guts. And he has shrap medal from a grenade. Still in his back that a piece. We'll work out every now and again. And he has a jar that he collects it in when it comes out.. When he was in Vietnam, they were captured and they used to put them in a cage and every day they would feed them one bowl of rice and take bamboo sticks and beat their rest and their ankles so they could not run. The cage was not big enough to sit in. Or lay down. To get food they used to catch bugs as they would run through the cage for food. He was a p o w for sixteen months. He never gives up. He fights every day. He celebrates as much as he can by doing stuff at the american legion. He has an American Flag in APO w flag flying in his yard. And so do I for support of my father and the military. He is a great man and deserves everything in the world. But I can only give him so much. He never gives up and keeps going every day. He still tries to do as much as he can. Even though he has a very bad limp and it is hard for him to get around. He is still the dockmaster at the American Legion, where he has been for years. Entires everyday to do things around the house and keep going. He is nearly 80 years old, but you would never know it, he. Deserves everything in the the world. He did over 20 years in the military. He paid his time and now he's on the downside of life. It breaks my heart to know that 1 day my time with him will come to an end because a man that has done so much for his country deserves to live forever.. I am but he is my father. I am his son. I love the man withhold my heart and so there's a lot of other people. He does the parado Veterans Day. Where he has arrived because he cannot walk that distance. He is a proud man. But he deserves so much more than I could give him."
Story submitted by Tiesha L Gring: "My Father in law was a P.O.W. (Prisoner of War) in Vietnam. For many months they were stabbed with needles, only fed small portions of rice. To this day he doesn't like going to the Drs. And getting a shot because of needles, and he won eat rice. He still has shrapnel in his body that occasionally a tiny piece will work it's way out and he will save it in a jar with the rest of the pieces he has collected. He was also a Sniper while in the Army. He continues to serve by volunteering any free time to the American Legion. He is now on the committee, The Dock Master and helps in the museum. He proudly flies his flags on his taller than his house flagpole. He can't get around like he used to, can't see very well but will proudly stand and salute the flag. He has lived a long hard life and deserves so much recognition and love."
Thank you, Paul, for your honorable service, sacrifice, and dedication.
