Posted: 4:13 PM May 28, 2012
Reporter: Kylie Dixon

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DENISON, TX-- "And when I hear taps, it breaks my heart, I've heard it so many times."

As J. W Hoover salutes the flag. He remembers the men he fought beside in World War II. But Hoover, isn't the only local hero to be awarded a Purple Heart.

"I received a Purple Heart in Iraq on August 2nd, 2007. We were doing a stint overseas. My convoy came under attack and so I was injured. I sustained injuries on the right side of my body," Lucas Cordova explained.

After serving in both the Army and the Marine Corps, Cordova was honored to lay a wreath in honor of all the military service men and women who earned the Purple Heart.

Cordova was one of a dozen of veterans who laid flowers in honor of the heroes who died fighting for our country. They were joined by community members at Fairview cemetery to remember not only the fallen, but the soldiers who're still fighting.

"It's an opportunity to remember and it's also it's good when you see children who are learning the sacrifice that's been made on their behalf and we need to remember those days," said retired Grayson County Judge, Horace Groff.

"It signifies me being able to do what I can., I'm still here and for those who have lost and gave the ultimate price," Cordova said.

As Taps finishes playing, Hoover thinks back to his time as a Prisoner of War and how many friends he's buried. He hopes all the rest of the county remembers what this day is really about.

"So many times I've heard that Taps played, and some of my best friends I ever had were wrapped in a blanket, but they never complained."

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