A veterans' veteran goes the extra mile.

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 Year in 2006.

The veteran is also very involved with the younger generation. In addition to having local elementary school children help him place flags, Katlic travels to local schools each Veteran's Day, July 4, and Memorial Day to teach and remind the children of the history of those holidays and the history of American freedom. He also escorts children in parades in honor of local veterans.

Legion Commander Charles Roberson told the Democrat that Katlic "loves to work with school children, talking to them about patriotism. Younger people look to Chuck as a hero." Katlic says of the children, "They're the future of our country and if anybody's going to save us, it's going to be them."

In the 1980s, Katlic volunteered with the National Park Service, traveling across the country performing maintenance work on ranger houses, doing odd jobs for the national parks, and guiding tours. He has made six trips across the country and Mexico, taking clothes and food to Native Americans and orphans.

Roberson recognized Katlic for going "above and beyond the call of duty." He also told the Democrat, "You can tell he's a Christian .... He's doing the Lord's work and he says he was spared in the war to continue that work."

Even though Katlic is now 86 years old, he has no plans to "retire." In addition to helping his fellow veterans and educating school children, he is president of his Lutheran church and is an enthusiastic member of the John Birch Society. This veteran's veteran told the Democrat he will continue to be a freedom fighter and support veterans as long as he's able. "I can still go fight if they need me, but until they call me, I'll go wherever I see a need."