Hometown Heroes: Veteran serves as source of support
Updated: July 30, 2012
URBANA -- It's a town full of military servicemen and women. They depend on groups like the Disabled American Veterans. One man who's a large part of the DAV makes it his mission to help. WCIA-3's Amanda Porterfield shows us why Ron Hubert is a real Hometown Hero.
It's the time of year Ron Hubert looks forward to, helping run the beer tent at the Champaign County Fair.
"That's our job, to help veterans and their families. That's what this whole thing is all about," says Hubert.
Hubert and these DAV members are fortunate to be here. All of them are disabled in some way from serving. Selling beer helps them raise money to help other veterans.
"We have grants we can get for these veterans and their families. We put roofs on people's houses, we put heat in their houses when they need it, stoves, cash to pay their bills. Just, whatever we can do to help these veterans," Hubert.
That's because Hubert was once in their spot. He was an army sergeant in Vietnam; a role he was born into.
"My dad was in the military, Korean War veteran. My uncle was a war veteran; two times purple heart. I just felt, at the time, that's what we needed to do," says Hubert.
But, Hubert injured 70% of his body. He's got Agent Orange and shrapnel in his head and hands; battle wounds which got him a purple heart medal, delivered by a then-famous actor.
Hubert says "It was quite an honor. Something I've never forgotten, and when I tell people, they're like, 'really, Charleton Heston gave you a purple heart?'"
After 41-years as an electrician, he now gives his heart to veterans six days a week.
"You have to help these veterans who are coming back, especially in this day and time. It's worse now than what it was in Vietnam. When these people are coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq, they've lost limbs and they have PTSD. That's your heroes. That's your heroes," says Hubert.
The beer tent at the Champaign County Fair raises $25,000 for veterans and their families. Hubert is also president of the Champaign County Veterans Association and president of the Veterans Assistance Commission, plus the state surgeon general of the VFW.
It's the time of year Ron Hubert looks forward to, helping run the beer tent at the Champaign County Fair.
"That's our job, to help veterans and their families. That's what this whole thing is all about," says Hubert.
Hubert and these DAV members are fortunate to be here. All of them are disabled in some way from serving. Selling beer helps them raise money to help other veterans.
"We have grants we can get for these veterans and their families. We put roofs on people's houses, we put heat in their houses when they need it, stoves, cash to pay their bills. Just, whatever we can do to help these veterans," Hubert.
That's because Hubert was once in their spot. He was an army sergeant in Vietnam; a role he was born into.
"My dad was in the military, Korean War veteran. My uncle was a war veteran; two times purple heart. I just felt, at the time, that's what we needed to do," says Hubert.
But, Hubert injured 70% of his body. He's got Agent Orange and shrapnel in his head and hands; battle wounds which got him a purple heart medal, delivered by a then-famous actor.
Hubert says "It was quite an honor. Something I've never forgotten, and when I tell people, they're like, 'really, Charleton Heston gave you a purple heart?'"
After 41-years as an electrician, he now gives his heart to veterans six days a week.
"You have to help these veterans who are coming back, especially in this day and time. It's worse now than what it was in Vietnam. When these people are coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq, they've lost limbs and they have PTSD. That's your heroes. That's your heroes," says Hubert.
The beer tent at the Champaign County Fair raises $25,000 for veterans and their families. Hubert is also president of the Champaign County Veterans Association and president of the Veterans Assistance Commission, plus the state surgeon general of the VFW.
