W. Jordan event says 'thank you' to troops

WEST JORDAN — Lawrence Guthrie, 66, sewed his own ear on after being shot in the head while serving in Vietnam.

Guthrie, also a veteran of the Korean War, told his story Saturday in front of four young soldiers during the second annual Thank A Soldier day at Veterans Memorial Park.

One of those soldiers, Aaron Adams, now serves in the Utah Army National Guard 19th Special Forces, Guthrie's old unit.

The day's event was a chance for people like Guthrie and Adams to share stories, which was the way soldiers who gathered thanked each other.

"It's nice to be appreciated," Adams said.

It didn't bother Adams that to the north in Salt Lake City people on the same day protested the ongoing conflict in Iraq.

"There's nobody who prays for peace more than a soldier," Adams said.

The other soldiers around Adams agreed, saying it hurts to get shot — the bullet that hit Guthrie exited his head through his mouth, knocking out most of his teeth, which Guthrie readily proves are now fake.

Nearby 1st Lt. Rhett Rampton stood near his AH-64A Apache helicopter, the one he flew last year while in Afghanistan. The Kaysville man spent six months away from his wife, Jessica, and their 3-year-old daughter, Elizabeth.

Rampton said people sometimes thank families of military members.

"They definitely pay a price," he said.

Cpl. Braxton McCoy's grandmother, Paulette McCoy, was in tears as she told passersby at her booth, "I support these kids to the death because they support each other."

She said her grandson is still in serious condition at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was hit by ball bearings from an explosion detonated by a suicide bomber.

Donations were being taken at McCoy's booth. One woman gave her $20, which prompted a hug and "God bless you," from McCoy.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said he spent time with the injured McCoy. He was impressed by the soldier's attitude despite being seriously wounded. Hatch recalled how he lost relatives to war, including his brother Jesse during World War II.