Veterans Honored at Water Bugs Event

Three men who were brain injured, either as soldiers or after they returned home, were honored Wednesday night at the Water Bugs Ski Show.

Lisa Alberte, recognized as nurse of the year and the driving force behind Acres of Hope and Asipirations in Muskego, brought the men to the show without their knowledge the evening was to be in honor of them.

In introducing each of the men, Winlom Woods, Lyle Vogel and David Halula, it was apparent that there appearance there was not only an honor, it was a miracle.

Woods, who just turned 37 last week, had been shot in the head with an AK-47. Part of the bullet remains in his head. After multiple surgeries and battles with infections and other complications, show emcee Rob Lucas told the crowd, "His courage to face each day with multiple and complex medical problems is more than most would accept."  

Halula, 34, is a Muskego High School graduate and served as an E4 Specialist of the U.S. Army actively deployed to the Iraq War when he sustained his severe traumatic brain injury, multiple physical/orthopedic injuries and lung collapse in December 2007. 

Vogel,age 57, had previously served 14 years in the U.S. Air Force and while serving this country traveled to 48 states and 22 countries and served as a Vietnam Veteran. He sustained his traumatic brain injury in 2007 performing a civilian job of delivering pizzas when he was robbed and beaten over the head with 2 by 4.  

None were expected to survive their injuries, much less lead normal lives.

After they were introduced, several in the audience, one a veteran as well, walked up to them and thanked them all for their service and sacrifice.