The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has announced that the murdered soldier, Army Pvt. Gregory Wedel-Morales stationed at Fort Hood, will have his record cleared of desertion and his family may now lay him to rest with full military honors.
“LULAC thanks Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy for taking action just days after we met with him at the Pentagon,” says Domingo Garcia, National President.
(Ft. Hood says PV2 Gregory Wedel-Morales has been reinstated to active duty. According to the military post, the change in his status entitles him to burial with full military honors. Courtesy of Fox 7 and YouTube. Posted on KTBC FOX 7 Austin and YouTube. Posted on Jul 17, 2020.)
“What happened to Gregory Morales should never happen to any soldier.”
“He disappeared from Fort Hood two weeks before being honorably discharged after serving more than five years in the Army.”
“Rather than conduct an immediate investigation into how or why he disappeared, as the family kept asking, the Army called him a deserter and never bothered to do more.”
The 24-year old soldier was last seen on the night of August 19, after which he didn’t report to duty the following day, and was placed on AWOL status,
He was declared a deserter one month later.
Ten months later, only after LULAC began demanding answers into his case and that of Vanessa Guillen, did military investigators intensify their efforts and find his remains on June 19 in a shallow grave not far from the base.
A week later, Vanessa Guillen’s remains were also found after LULAC offered a $25,000 reward.
(On June 21, CID also confirmed the remains to be that of Wedel-Morales and announced that foul play is suspected at this point in the investigation.Courtesy of Fox 7 and YouTube. Posted on KTBC FOX 7 Austin and YouTube. Posted on Jun 23, 2020.)
“LULAC is glad that Gregory’s family can now have closure and is able to bury their son, a brave and faithful soldier, with full military honors as he deserved,” added Sindy Benavides, Chief Executive Officer.
“What is as significant is that an important decision came out of our meeting with Secretary McCarthy.”
The Army is working to form a new investigative panel with input from LULAC.
This independent entity will help ensure that new protections are put in place for our sons and daughters at Fort Hood.
Indeed, LULAC is making sure that Gregory and Vanessa’s deaths will not have been in vain and they will not be forgotten,” said Benavides.
Editor’s note: Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Pvt. Gregory Wedel-Morales, and all those who served with him.
Thank you for your bravery in serving our nation with pride and distinction. Our hearts are heavy with your loss. You will not be forgotten.
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