Memorial Day Weekend in the Woodlands Honors Two Veterans With Ties to the Community

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Memorial Day Weekend in The Woodlands was more than a holiday to enjoy time with the family and friends. It was a time to honor and say thank you to those who serve our country.

On Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 of Memorial Day Weekend 2013, The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau and the crowds in attendance honored Hunter LeVine, a former U.S. Army Private First Class and College Park High School graduate, and Marty Gonzalez, a former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant and graduate of The Woodlands High School.

Hunter was a member of the 10th Mountain Division, 4th Brigade, 230th Charlie Company, 2nd Platoon. On May 9, 2008 at just 20 years old, his world changed forever. While returning from a combat mission in Iraq, Hunter was seriously injured when the Humvee he was driving was hit with an explosive device. Shrapnel pierced Hunter’s right eye and exited through his left eye. Despite his severe injuries, loss of vision and extreme disorientation, Hunter was able to drive his platoon out of the kill zone to safety with directions from another solider. The blast resulted in the loss of his entire facial bone structure, leaving him blind and damaging his mouth and nose extensively. Hunter faced death head-on yet he continued to protect the members of his platoon by driving them to safety. Having undergone dozens of surgeries and fearlessly facing the obstacles of recovery, Hunter was awarded the Purple Heart for his heroism.

Marty was deployed to Iraq in 2004. His unit was assigned to Fallujah where it encountered insurgents and gunfire daily. He is the proud recipients of three Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars for his amazing valor in combat during Operation Phantom Fury. He also was one of a handful of veterans featured on the Military Channel’s documentary series “Ultimate Warfare.” Marty was awarded his first Purple Heart from a grenade blast to the face. A month later, he was awarded his second from a grenade blast that broke his back as he was recovering a fallen Marine. His third Purple Heart was awarded for injuries sustained during another insurgent attack in which he was shot twice in the right arm. Marty suffered severe physical and emotional injuries, and it has taken numerous surgeries to get him on the road to recovery. Despite these obstacles, he remains involved with assisting other veterans in the transition from war zone to home life. Marty played a pivotal role in forming the Veteran’s Court in Texas and attributes his passion for life to his wife and three beautiful children who keep him going each and every day.

“Heroes – there is no other word to describe these two brave men,” says Nick Wolda, president of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This is why we celebrate Memorial Day – to say ‘thanks’ to those who serve.”

Both veterans also are recipients of homes built through Helping a Hero, a non-profit organization which provides specially-adapted homes for qualifying service members.

For more information on events hosted by The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau, go to www.VisitTheWoodlands.com or call 281-363-2447. “Like” The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/VisitTheWoodlands, “follow” them on Twitter www.Twitter.com/TheWoodlandsCVB and “view” them on YouTube www.YouTube.com/TheWoodlandsCVB.

Photos and information brought to you courtesy of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau