Fairfax Station Vets Gather to Honor Wounded Soldier

A group of Fairfax Station veterans gathered at the Fairfax Rod & Gun Club last week to honor one of their own and have some fun. 

The dozen and a half attendees from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8469 represent every major conflict since World War II.

“This is not designed as an event to train. This is designed as an event to get all the generations talking to each other,” said Floyd Houston, post commander, retired Marine Corps officer and longtime rifle coach. “We eat a meal together, tell stories together, go shooting together."

As part of Friday's event, post members honored retired U.S. Army Captain Mark Little, with a M-1 rifle.

The surprise rifle presentation was made in cooperation with "M1 for Vets," a non-profit group that supports wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Recipients are presented with their own M-1 rifle for the purpose of getting them back to the competitive shooting range.

“[It’s] a great way to recognize and connect former service members and our current crop of heroes," said retired army officer Eric Hoffmeyer.

A then Lieutenant serving as an Army convoy commander, Little was stationed in Iraq between April and September 2007.   Little lost both legs below the knee when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb.  He spent a year recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as both inpatient and outpatient. 

Little continued to serve until 2009 and currently works as a civilian contractor for the Department of Defense.  He is the recipient of two Purple Heart Medals and a Bronze Star.

Married in February, he and his wife reside in Fairfax, where Little competes on the USA Warriors hockey team.  The team recently won gold at the National Disabled Hockey Festival in Minnesota.

Little became active in VFW Post 8469 after being presented with a custom made "Eagle Cane," in early 2008.  The hand-carved cane is traditionally presented to wounded warriors as a sign of respect and gratitude.

Little brought his friend and future VFW Post recruit Aaron Coffin to yesterday's event.

“We're there to support our own,” Little said. “We take care of each other and those who follow us."