Navarre welcomes home war vet
BY PAM BRANNON Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

Pam Brannon/Gulf Breeze News David Moore, of Navarre, and his fiance, Brittany Smith, rode atop a convertible Saturday driven by World War II Veteran Bob Dodge and his wife Nell of Navarre. Moore was injured last month in Iraq.

Army Spc. David Moore of Navarre was given a 'Welcome Home' celebration by his community Saturday that he labeled as "unexpected and overwhelming". About 100 people showed up with flags and smiles to welcome the injured soldier home from Iraq.

Moore was injured June 10 in Iraq's Triangle of Death, just south of Baghdad, when a suicide bomber drove a car into an area where he was helping to protect an overpass. The bomber killed three American soldiers and wounded two others besides Moore. He recalls the blast, then finding himself 'buried', and as he dug himself out he started shooting with other soldiers close by to hold off insurgents until medical help arrived. He suffered a brain traumatic injury.

He is here for a couple weeks, then will be sent to Ft. Bragg to recover for at least six months. He said Saturday he wants to go back to his unit in Iraq after he is totally recovered, but he knows his parents 'do not want to hear that'. "It is impossible to explain why I would want to go back unless you have been there," he said.

Saturday Moore and his fiance Brittany Smith, also of Navarre, rode atop a convertible in a parade down Hwy. 87 and Hwy. 98 to the Navarre Community Center, with rows and rows of motorcycles, the Navarre Krewe of Jesters float, and Holley-Navarre Fire trucks. A ceremony following the parade included County Commission Chair Tom Stewart reading a proclamation making Saturday David Moore Day in the county, and presentations from the Veterans Purple Heart Assn. with a paid membership, since Moore did receive a purple heart for his injuries. There were also presentations from the VFW of Navarre and Krewe of Jesters.

Then everyone was treated to free hot dogs, slices of apple pie, and cold drinks like Coca Cola. As one veteran in attendance said, "What could be MORE American then hot dogs and apple pie -- and a courageous soldier." Lauretta Aiken organized the event, with the help of several friends and the Navarre Area Chamber of Commerce.

Moore's parents, Penny Jones of Navarre and Earl Moore of Navarre were at the ceremonies. Moore has a brother and two sisters who are also serving in the military. His two sisters and their families are heading to Ft. Bliss in Texas next month for more Army training on the 'buddy system'.

David Moore, age 18, is a graduate of Navarre High School and was a member of the Navarre JROTC at the high school.