Together again: Richert reunited with comrades
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
It was an emotional moment, to say the least, when Pete Richert of Hillsboro was reunited Sunday with other members of his Kansas National Guard field artillery unit.
The 86-member unit returned to Kansas by bus and was honored at a welcoming ceremony in Pratt.
Richert has been in the States since February, after he was injured in a roadside bomb attack and suffered the loss of one leg below the knee.
During the Sunday ceremony, Richert received the Purple Heart.
The Guardsmen also paid tribute to Sgt. David Berry of Anthony, who was killed in the same attack. His widow was present for the ceremony.
Simon Makovec of Ramona was greeted warmly by Richert. Makovec was injured slightly in the same attack and received his Purple Heart in Iraq.
Altogether, 27 members received Purple Hearts, making the Kansas National Guard unit the most decorated per capita since World War II.
Also among those returning were Zachary and Jake Linn of Newton, grandsons of Larry and Barbara Smith, operators of Country Lakes Café in Marion.
