Family Fights To Get Vietnam Veteran's Name On Memorial
BOSTON (CBS) - The faded photo of Andy Nutt hides the physical and mental pain. He fought in Vietnam and today his relative, Judy Rogers, has taken on the fight to honor his service.
"To us he was a hero. He volunteered for that war - a lot of people ran away from that war," said Rogers.
Despite his heroism, Nutt's name is not on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.
Nutt fought on the ground earning numerous awards including the Purple Heart. He was shot in the arm and went back into the fight. He came home paralyzed from the waist down. At the age of 32 Nutt died. His death certificate reads overdose and suicide.
"They didn't have the help. If he died in the war of the injuries without saying 'that' - he would be on the Wall," said Rogers.
It's because he committed suicide that Andy Nutt's name is not on the wall. His family has written letters and made phone calls for years.
"Because of the suicide, they would not consider it," said Rogers.
Now, there's the recognition of PTSD and mental challenges often facing soldiers returning challenges. Rogers hopes the government will reconsider and take into account the scars of war can be hidden.
"He loved this country. He got disabled and hurt. And, I think he deserves the recognition for being on that Wall. He really does," said Rogers.
There are 22 million veterans in the U.S. Only 38% say they get adequate support from the government from everything from job training to healthcare.
