Veterans Day Tribute

ARC Spotlight On: Veterans

Veterans Day is Tuesday, November 11th

Veterans Day is an official United States holiday that recognizes and honors individuals that have served in the United States Armed Forces. At ARC Physical Therapy, we strongly value and respect our veterans, and would like to thank them for all that they have done for our country.

In honor of Veterans Day, we interviewed a few of our patients that are veterans. 

Roy Gagnard

Roy joined the Navy in 1941 during World War II, serving as a Senior Lieutenant until he retired from the service in 1955. He received several medals and also a ribbon for being a Senior Lieutenant.

Roy likes to read, write and exercise. Originally from Louisiana, Roy now resides in the suburbs of Chicago, where Marty O’Shea has been treating him for about a month now at our Woodridge clinic. “Marty reactivates me and brings me back to a good upstanding in life,” says Roy.

Thank you for your service!

George Negron

George has three generations of veterans in his family! Between his father, himself, and his daughter, the influence of veterans in the Negron family is clearly strong. George was born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, but was raised in Chicago.

Stationed in Italy, George received an Army Achievement Medal for excellence in job performance as well as an Overseas Service Medal. George kept himself occupied during his peacetime service by joining the Army fast-pitch softball league and by practicing boxing.

These days, George enjoys fishing in the nearby suburban lakes, although he has had to take some time off in order to heal his injury (per his physical therapist’s request!). He has been a patient at ARC for about three years.

Thank you for your service, and best of luck to your daughter in the Air Force!

Richard Hymes

Richard, a now Retired Naval Officer, served in the United States Navy from 1967 until 1993  as a designated Naval Aviator and served as a ranked Commander in Vietnam.  Throughout his service, he received many awards, including a Vietnam Service Ribbon, the U.S. Navy Sharpshooter Medal, and the Expert Marksmanship Medal. Navy pilots seem to run in Richard’s family, as his father, brother and grandfather all served.

He explained that by being in the Navy, “you get the benefit of meeting a lot of different people and learning about all sorts of cultures all around the world.” In regards to service stories, Richard stated that a friend once told him, “By telling your stories, you get to relive the experience.”

Richard is our friendly neighbor (Hymes Law Office) in Woodridge, and has been a patient at ARC for about a month. He will soon get back to doing what he loves – riding kayaks, cruising on his Harley, and going camping!

Thank you for your service (and for telling your stories)!

Did you know that veterans can receive free meals on Veterans Day? Click here for a list of popular restaurants and other retailers that are giving away free meals and discounts this Tuesday.

If you are a veteran or know of a veteran who is in need of physical therapy but cannot afford to receive treatment, please consider our Grants Wishes program (see below).