A veterans' veteran goes the extra mile.(THE GOODNESS OF AMERICA)(Chuck Katlic)

Few would deny that, as a group, our military veterans are deserving of our respect and thanks. And when in need, they deserve all the assistance we can provide. One American who truly understands this and goes the extra mile to help veterans is Chuck Katlic, of Weatherford, Texas.

Katlic, an Army veteran himself, fought in the Battle of the Bulge in France in 1944, one of the bloodiest U.S. engagements of World War II, earning the Combat Infantryman Badge and two Bronze Stars.

After his military career ended, Chuck moved from military service to volunteer service. Several years ago, when Katlic realized that many veterans were unable to get to their doctor's appointments, he started, and now coordinates, a program to transport needy veterans to local area veterans' hospitals in Fort Worth and Dallas. One veteran gets rides three days a week for dialysis. Katlic told the Texas Weatherford Democrat:

 
   We do it for them or their families 
   because they need it. I just heard 
   about the need and they call me if 
   they need a ride. I got a list started 
   of volunteers.... I do what I do for the 
   love of veterans. They need help and 
   somebody's got to help them. I'm a 
   defender of the defenseless. 

Katlic is also chaplain of American Legion Post No. 163, and is in charge of the post's flag committee. In 1999, he began decorating soldiers' grave markers during patriotic holidays. Now the veteran coordinates the placement of over 5,000 flags on graves in Parker County on Memorial Day each year.

For his service to his fellow veterans, the local American Legion post proclaimed July 8 to be Chuck Katlic Day. He was inducted as a Marine Corps League Associate lifetime member in 2003 for his contributions to veterans, and was named Legionnaire of the ...