By Danielle Sempsrott
NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
As our nation stopped this Veterans Day to honor those men and women who have served – and continue to serve – in the United States Armed Forces, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida held its own observance event on Nov. 7, 2019. Here, Kennedy was recognized as a Purple Heart Entity by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, becoming the first NASA center to receive this designation for support and services provided to veterans through the spaceport’s Veterans employee resource group.
Christopher Vedvick, commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of Florida, and Ernie Rivera, national adjutant of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, presented a proclamation and plaque stating this recognition to Kennedy’s Associate Director, Technical, Kelvin Manning, and Veterans employee resource group chair Ana Contreras and executive champion Edwin Martinez. The event took place in the Florida spaceport’s Training Auditorium and was attended by Kennedy employees, including more than 20 individuals who have been awarded a Purple Heart – one of the oldest military decorations presented to members of the armed forces who have been wounded or killed by America’s enemies.
“Kennedy Space Center being the first space center to be a part of this is amazing,” said Vedvick. “The amount of veterans who are here who have served their country and continue to serve – you did your job, and then you decided to come back here and serve again and help our nation in its exploration to space. We couldn’t be more proud of you and being around you – that’s the whole reason we’re here. We are inspired by you, and we are inspired by the sacrifices that you make every day.”
Following this award presentation, attendees had the opportunity to hear Vedvick, United States Army retired, speak about his experience serving in the Army, his involvement with the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the purpose of the organization. Vedvick joined the Army’s airborne infantry and went into active duty in 2000, first deploying to Afghanistan in 2002.
“We deployed and we thought we were trained up,” said Vedvick. “But what we discovered is that none of us were really ready for war.”
While engaged in combat, he was wounded by three hand grenades – all landing within six feet of him, damaging the left side of his body. After the four-hour fight ended, he was medevacked out and returned home.
“It was at that point that I vowed I would always try to make it better for the next guy,” he said. “Nobody should have to endure what we went through, or have to navigate the channels in which we had to navigate, to make things better.”
Vedvick spent the rest of his career with special operations, deploying five more times to Afghanistan and once to Iraq. Retiring just a few years ago, he knew he wanted to continue serving his community and found a fit with the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
“They really gave me a home,” he said. “It’s hard to talk about these kinds of things, and it’s great to be able to talk about these experiences with people who’ve been there – maybe not down on the same soil but definitely in the same kind of situation.”
The Military Order of the Purple Heart is a congressionally chartered organization that provides support to veterans and their families throughout the nation, though members comprise those who were wounded in combat. Serving as commander of the department in Florida, Vedvick — and other Florida members — provide veterans a number of support services within the state, such as fellowship, any type of relief or assistance, including disaster relief, and equipping veterans with mobility devices free of charge.
“We believe that it’s our duty to ensure that this population is taken care of,” he said. “We are truly honored that you wanted to participate in this program. It helps all of us pay homage to those who sacrifice so much for our country.”
Manning provided closing remarks at the ceremony, pointing out that veterans have contributed largely to NASA’s success story, beginning with the agency’s first astronauts and those early leaders who played an integral role in first getting us to the Moon and building some of the well-known facilities that we still use today. Now, there are more than 300 NASA employees who are veterans at Kennedy, including seven of the center’s 10 directors.
“We would not be successful without our veteran contributions,” he said. “Veterans take the lessons they have learned, and the experiences they have gained, and continue their service to our nation by strengthening our community. Our future is bright, and veterans will continue to play a vital role in securing the legacy of America’s space program.”