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Veterans Day Spotlight: WWII Hero

Posted at 9:17 AM, Nov 10, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-10 13:41:09-05

29 Kern County Honor Flight veterans were recently sent to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials and connect with other war heroes.

 

"I don’t deserve that, it was a duty you had to, the heroes are up there", said Andrew Negrete, a WWII veteran.

 

Negrete was drafted when he was just 17 years old. He served as a machine gunner and BAR man during WWII. He was wounded in combat, earning a bronze star and purple heart for his service.

 

'They were waiting for us and they opened up and there were a lot of us that did not make it and a lot of them got hurt", said Negrete.

 

Helen Wise says her father worked three jobs in order to provide for his family and always kept quiet about his time in the service.

 

"His wounds never stopped him from doing what he needed to do for all six of us", said Wise.

 

Negrete's legacy stands in his service to our country and his sacrifice inspires his 24 grandchildren, 34 great children and 8 great great grandchildren.

 

His granddaughter Mikaela Cadena says traveling with her hero to Washington D.C. has been an emotional and overwhelming experience.

 

"I'm so blessed and learned so much of what he went through", said Cadena.

 

Honor Flight Kern County has sent over 1,000 veterans to Washington, D.C. since the program was started 5 years ago. The trip brings feelings of redemption, unity, and closure for so many veterans.

 

"They are all special and that’s why we are here today", said Cadena.