James Hufnall, a WWII Cavalry Veteran and resident of a VA Community Living Center in Kerrville, Texas, started his Thursday in September like most others. Breakfast and a break outside for some fresh air.
What he saw this one particular morning outside the entrance were four magnificent steeds. It brought a smile to his face.
The Community Living Center takes extraordinary care of all their residents but Hufnall is a bit special. He recently joined a very exclusive club, becoming a centenarian with his 100th birthday in September.
The staff in Kerrville wanted to do something special for this member of the 1st Cavalry. After some logistical legwork, recreation therapist Robert Livingston said it all started to come together.
With MacArthur in Manila
“I asked Mr. Hufnall if he would like to see the 1st Cavalry if he could get them out and he replied, ‘As long as they bring the horses.’”
Horse Cavalry keeps history alive
Livingston began coordinating with the 1st Cavalry Horse Detachment out of Ft. Hood. Hufnall remains on their rolls and they were delighted and jumped at the opportunity to honor one of their oldest living members.
“We keep that history alive and show people they still matter,” said Sgt. Natalie Ramirez, a member of the Horse Cavalry Detachment honor guard. “These Veterans see us and remember the importance of what they’ve done.”
“Fort Sam’s Own” 323rd Army Band provided patriotic music. It was a military celebration with all the pomp and circumstance many of the residents haven’t experienced in decades.
An army of nurses wheeled out the residents to witness the posting of the colors by the horse detachment. The horses rode in across the makeshift parade field, bearing a sharp and synchronized left turn, their riders in famous 1st Cavalry Stetsons.
Hufnall was taking it all in, smiling widely from watching the horses in action after such a long hiatus.
Receiving the Purple Heart
His VA doctor’s father was on Bataan death march
Hufnall was a horse man at an early age and the love of animals was a constant while growing up. Horses are one of the things that has bonded Hufnall to his Primary Care Provider, Dr. Felipe Casabar.
Casabar said that horses aren’t the only reason the two of them hit it off immediately. One of Hufnall’s most important missions was landing in Leyte with Gen. Douglas MacArthur to liberate the capital city of Manila and the imprisoned death marchers of Bataan.
One of the marchers was Casabar’s father.
“We became good friends, I consider him like my father,” Casabar said. “I see him almost every day.”
Received new Purple Heart for WWII injuries
After the equestrian grand entrance, Hufnall was in store for another surprise. His original Purple Heart that he received in the Pacific theatre in the mid-40s had not survived a lifetime of moves. Byron Warren, Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, pinned a new medal on Hufnall’s chest to the applause of guests, staff and his fellow residents.
The four members of the detachment split up and disbursed through the crowd of onlookers so they could pet and touch the horses. Hufnall was wheeled up first, and immediately reached out to make contact. The horse reciprocated, gently nudging his hand. They spent some moments together, calm and enjoying each other’s company.
The meet and greet morphed into equine therapy as each Veteran, some a bit apprehensive, reached out to touch a muzzle which turned into a smile and excitement.
COVID-19 has been tough on all of the residents because of their high-risk status, so the entire staff from VA Police, nursing, engineering and environmental management services came out, very eager to make sure their Veterans had a chance to finally celebrate together.
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