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TTie last thing Sgt. Bernard Hartung remembered about the night of April 11, 1968. was that his 101st Airborne Division infantry unit was under artillery attack near Dak To, Vietnam.When he regained consciousness 28 days later, he was on a Navy hospital ship and on his way home.Hartung, who was named Wisconsin's Disabled American Veteran of the year here Saturday night, had suffered a shrapnel wound to his temple. It would be nearly six months before he would regain even partial use of his left leg.Things could have been worse, however.I'm one of the luckier ones. I came back alive. he says today.Adjustment PeriodBut when he first returned to Eau Claire in November of 1968. it took awhile to adjust. He didn’t socialize much and spent most of his time watching the boob tube.”1 was more or less depressed until 1 got out and realized I was still alive. he recalled.One factor he credits for helping was the “togetherness and enthusiams he discovered within the local Disabled American Veteran's chapter.He first became acquainted with the DAV through his neighbor. Lyle Gehring. who was a past chapter commander here. Hartung was having problems obtaining orders for cranial plastic surgery he required at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Gehring and Leonard Drescher. also a former chapter commander. helped him with necessary paperwork.Young CommanderAfter that he became a more or less honorary member in the local DAV. officially joining in 1969 Since then he has served as chaplain, junior vicecommander. senior vicecommander and presently commander, at age 26.An accounting and marketing student at District One Technical Institute. Hartung emphasized that it's important for veterans not to let their disability get over them.It’s mind over matter, he said.He said the DAV allows him to help other disabled veterans by informing them of the numerous benefits to which they're entitled.Takes UnderstandingWe don’t try to pry into their personal life, but we try to help them in any way we can.” he said. It takes a lot of understanding.The DAV also serves as a check on politicians who fail to bring about the right laws to help out veterans, he added.Too many times after the dust has settled, the veteran is forgotten. But he still has the disability.Hartung is the son of Mrs. Evelyn Hartung of 607 E. MacArthur Ave.
Newspaper Details
Eau Claire Leader Telegram
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, US
Mon, Jun 11, 1973
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Badgerlink
WI, USA 03 Jan 2017
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