A hero in life owes a huge sum in death
By KERANA TODOROV Register Staff Writer
Posted: Sunday, February 28, 2010 3:37 pm
Alejandro Ruiz was buried in November at the Veterans Home of California at Yountville with full military honors, half a century after receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor.
This month, Ruiz’ daughter was stunned to learn the California Department of Veterans Affairs billed Ruiz’ estate $262,500 for the care the veteran had received in Yountville.
Celia Ruiz said she thought that by pursuing the estates of former veterans, the state is disrespecting their service.
“It’s heartbreaking,” she said. “These people sacrificed their lives for us.”
A spokesman for the department declined comment on the case, but said it is common for the state to seek payment for housing and medical services from the estates of veterans who lived or were under the medical care of any of the state’s five veterans homes.
Ruiz received the Congressional Medal of Honor for acts of heroism on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa, Japan. On April 28, 1945, then-Pfc. Ruiz lunged alone through flying grenades and rifle and automatic fire to take on Japanese pillbox, killing 12 enemy soldiers and completely destroying the position.
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A hero in life owes a huge sum in death
read about this man's life here
Alejandro R. Ruiz
Private First Class, U.S. Army 165th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division
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