Injured St. Charles Airman is honored for service in Iraq

By Bill Phelan
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

BRIDGETON, Mo. - The Missouri Air National Guard paid special tribute to a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom during a "Hometown Heroes Salute" Dec. 3 at Lambert-St. Louis Airport.

Brig. Gen. Jon Kelk, Missouri Air National Guard chief of staff, was on hand to praise the service of former Tech. Sgt. William T. Wymore, of St. Charles, who served in Balad, Iraq with the 131st Bomb Wing. Also attending the ceremony were Wymore's wife and son, dozens of uniformed servicemen and women, officials of the Veteran's Administration, and members of the Patriot Guard Riders.

Wymore, an 18-year Air Guard veteran, was presented with a plaque recognizing his service and other mementoes.

"Operation Iraqi Freedom began in March of 2003 and ended in August of this year with the people of Iraq now having lead responsibility for the security of their country," Kelk said. "That would not have been possible without the service of Tim Wymore and other service members who brought an end to combat operations. To you as a veteran, to your family, we are grateful."

The Hometown Heroes program recognizes Air Guardsmen who deployed more than 30 days in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Noble Eagle and peacekeeping operations around the globe.

Wymore and 34 other Guardsmen were omitted from a Hometown Heroes Salute in Jan. 2009 due to an oversight by the National Guard, according to Maj. Tammy Spicer, Missouri National Guard Public Affairs officer.

"As soon as we learned of the oversight we arranged this ceremony to honor (Sgt. Wymore's) service," Spicer said.

Wymore, 44, was injured in Iraq in 2004 due to a chemical hazard and has since undergone several medical procedures.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs has been working diligently, along with the Missouri Air National Guard, a Scott Air Force Base Air Force Recovery Care coordinator, the Veterans of Foreign Affairs, and other benevolent organizations, to assist the Wymore family.

Shanna Wymore said the recognition of her husband by the Air National Guard is very much appreciated.

"When Tim found out about this it was the first time I'd seen him smile in a long time," she said. "It made us feel good. This shows that no matter who you are they appreciate their veterans."

"This means a lot to me," Tim added. "I've always been a patriotic person so this makes me feel good to have them go out of their way for me like this."

Tim and Shanna Wymore are the parents of three sons, William T. Jr., Ben, and Cody. During the ceremony it was announced that Cody Wymore, 19, would follow in his father's footsteps and enlist in the Air Force.

"I'm happy about that," said Tim Wymore. "I'm glad he's going after what he wants and I stand by his decision."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.