My Father served in Vietnam, and before he died he told me what medals he received. One being the Purple Heart, and the other being the Gold Star. I didn't know what he was trying to tell me, because I never knew what the Gold Star was for, and he knew I wouldn't ask since we only talked rarely about his Service. I always understood since I was 3 yrs. old or so not to ask , but to let him talk when he was ready. I understood this because at age 3 I asked Him if he had killed anyone in war, and his response of silence with a look even then I could comprehend of inner trouble, so I remember quickly responding sorry. He said it was O.K., and from then on I knew the answer, and what that answer could do to a person. Even my Super Man! He told me the Medals he received when I was 20 yrs. old. Out of the blue he said " If any one asks you I received the Purple Heart and the Gold Star.". I said O.K. Dad, and didn't think much of it till just finding out what the Gold Star represented. He told me that into his 13 year of battling 3 different types of Cancer that were brought on by a canister of "Asian Orange" exploding next to him in a heavily covered field. The Cancers, the PTSD, replacement hip n' knees, rumatory arthritis, recent violent seizures from 1 tumor on his brain, and 61 other tumors throughout his body he knew he was about to receive what it represented. I had no clue, because since I was 7 yrs. old We(MOM & Myself) were told he only had 3-6 months every 6 months. I was raised with a false belief He would never die anytime soon. Well, He knew things that He had withheld from us, so we didn't worry. He knew for sure this time that within 2-3 months He would suffer a Grand Mal Seizure from the Tumor located on the motor skills region of His brain that would leave Him conscious, but fully paralyzed. He wrote all His family and friends letters, waited for me and Mom to go to work, and ended the last casualty's life in the last battle of His long War. That last person He shot was himself. I know why He did what HAD to be done, and I didn't find out till today what He was really telling me when he told me He received the Gold Star. Today was the first time I knew what the Gold Star was given for, or actually what was Given to receive it. My Heart, Soul, and Prayers go out for all those Families, Friends, and Loved Ones of the Recipient of a Gold Star, "The Heroes of Heroes" Who Gave Everything For Us All, so we can live as Freely as we do. Thank You All, and I'll see you in Eternal Paradise one day not to far off.
My Father's name is Bruce C. Bruno Sr.!

You can be very proud of your father. I spoke to many vietnam veterans who experienced the hell of combat. I understand what grief is as I lost my son due to a plane crash in 1985, he was with the 82nd Airborne. Bless you always,
and if it were not for men like your father and like my son, there would not be a United States of America. God Bless our Troops, I cry for you.