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Mart resident honored for serving in World War II on the USS Salt Lake City

Posted at 8:04 AM, Nov 09, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-10 12:53:44-05

A Central Texas man is influencing residents throughout his community because of his service to his country.

Robert Storey is a 98-year-old World World War II veteran. Storey served in the U.S. Navy between 1939 and 1945. He started his career as a first class seaman. Then, ended up in the ammunition room.

"This lieutenant says hold up your hand. Then, we pledged allegiance to everything. As soon as we got through, he said now you're in the Navy get over here," Storey said.

They're incredible stories of heroes and some died fighting for our country.

"I think we had a good bunch of people back there then," Storey said.

"I learn every time I talk to him something about his career and what he did," Sergeant D.L. Wilson, Texas Department of Public Safety, said. "It kind of gets me emotional a little bit."

Storey served on the USS Salt Lake City, a heavy cruiser, also known as the "Old Swayback."

"I have a very, very high regard for veterans," Rhonwyn Rush, a Mart resident, said. "I don't think people realize what a lot of them sacrificed."

"To me, it's just an honor and a privilege to know him and to know all the things he has done and to listen to his stories," Linda Cannon, another Mart resident, said.

The folks in Mart realize the importance of having veterans from World War II and the importance of learning from history.

"They're community heroes, they really are," Sergeant Wilson said. "We need to keep on remembering the past so we can't let that thing happen again."

The USS Salt Lake City received 11 battle stars for its World War II service.

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