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Samuel Luna, Veterans Service Officer for Katy VFW Post 9182, has been honored with the prestigious “Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award.” 

Luna was honored for his lifelong humanitarian service helping veterans in the local community.

LUNA HONORED – Katy VFW Post Veterans Service Officer Sam Luna (left) receives the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award from Rex Lloyd, a representative of the Legion of Honor and Texas Veterans Commission.

Luna was nominated for the award by Father Rara, a chaplain at the Michael DeBakey VA Hospital, for his work with veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.  

In addition to serving as veterans service officer for Katy’s VFW Post, Luna also works with the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 723, American Legion Post 164 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9 in Houston. 

Much of Luna’s work involves his commitment to a program called “Vets’ Journey Home,” which has been credited with helping scores of returning veterans cope with the emotional scars of battle.

Post traumatic stress disorder expert and author Dr. Mark Goulston said many returning vets were “living in hell alone,” burdened with the memories of war.

“There are hundreds of thousands of veterans living in hell alone, not being able to fully shake off the memories of the horrors of war that they physically survived, but mentally are still tormented by. The only way out of it or at least getting past it is through heart-to-heart conversations with others who have gone through the same,” Goulston said. “And yet, these legions of tormented warriors will fight the very thing that can offer hope of a better life.  Samuel is in the forefront of helping those healing conversations take place. His documentary ‘Vets’ Journey Home’ should be viewed by all vets who still suffer from the horrors of war, their families and those who provide care to them. God bless Samuel Luna.” 

The Legion of Honor Award publicly recognizes and honors those individuals “whose lives model the giving spirit and unconditional service to community, nation, and humanity without regard to race, religion, or creed.”

The award is specifically given in recognition of a lifetime commitment to selfless service and societal advancement that has “demonstrably affected the quality of life in the community, state or nation”

The award is named for the four United States Army chaplains who gave their lives to save other soldiers during the sinking of the troop ship USAT Dorchester during World War II.

The  Four Chaplains – George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, Clark V. Poling and John P. Washington – helped other soldiers board lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets when the supply ran out. The chaplains then joined arms, said prayers and sang hymns as they went down with the ship.