HOUSTON, Texas — At 100 years old, Houston’s David Loredo wears his Army uniform with pride. He says even more so now. “As I get older, I guess I’m prouder that I could go and serve my country, and I did the best I could.”
Drafted at 18 back in 1943, Loredo served as a Sergeant in the United States Army. He was deployed and fought in the Philippines, where he was wounded in March of 1945. He remembers it like it was yesterday.
“Do I remember being shot? Oh yeah. It hit me like a rock. I was dazed and started walking back until I fell.” Loredo remembers.
He admits he was scared. He didn’t think he would see his mother again. He leaned on the faith his parents had instilled in him.
Loredo said, “God is good to me. He helped me out during the war.”
For his heroism and sacrifice, Loredo was awarded both the Purple Heart and a Silver Star Medal, one of the nation’s highest honors for valor in combat.
Today, at 100 years young, David is enjoying the love of his wife, Martha, and their family. One that has grown into nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Sargeant Loredo’s secret to a long life, “I eat good, sleep good, and I have peace in my heart. I have everything – freedom – all in all God has been with me.”