Gulf/Iraq-Afghanistan Wars
General Petraeus formally awarded Pulido the Purple Heart. In a more formal ceremony later at
Brooke Army Medical Center, Pulido was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Joint Service Achievement Medal by Gen. Richard Cody, vice chief of Staff Army. “There are now over 38,000 injured and over 5,500 killed with more than 172,000 dependents,” said Pulido. “My spirits were lifted up as never before when I met General (Peter) Pace, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs
Way staff chair on the Coordinating Resource Committee following multiple disasters in the past five years. “We’re here to make a difference,” said Pulido. “We want people to see how important it is to invest in our veterans and their families.” Major Pulido isn’t bashful to lift his left pant leg to show off a $52,000 titanium leg, which allows him to water ski, snow ski and play golf. The prosthesis, designed by Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, permits him to walk with a normal gait. A computer programmed device
place in the world.”
Pulido is no stranger to military life. His father, who received U.S. citizenship through military service, served in the Vietnam era and was wounded in Panama during “Operation Just Cause.” His younger brother was injured in “Desert Storm.”
Combat duty, however, was a new concept for his wife, Karen, and not one she understood. “She has a different perspective, and I respect her viewpoint. I was gone two and a half years. That’s a long time,” he said.
Major Ed Pulido (Ret.) and family
of Staff. He met me at Brooke Army Medical Center when I was in the transition stage of recovery. He said ‘Always remember that on that day you did not lose a leg. On that day you sacrificed it for your country and for all in this nation to be free.’ ” Nearly three years later, Pulido is well into Phase 3 as he works to effect change as a staunch advocate for individuals with disabilities, counseling other soldiers in Oklahoma who have had life- changing injuries, through a program he helped develop with Veteran Family Network called Heroes Helping Heroes. After retirement, Pulido began working with The United Way of Central Oklahoma, and became the vice president of Community Investment and Research. He was involved in providing counseling services for victims of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing with the military and was the United
10 VETERAN FAMILY NETWORK h AUGUST 2011
constantly monitors pressure on his foot and adjusts a hydraulic cylinder inside to provide stability and safety. In retrospect, Ed mulls over his thoughts and feelings about the whole experience. “For me it wasn’t scary; it was
more of a challenge. Honestly, it was my will to do my job just like firemen or policemen. I’m adamant about the fact that we just do our job. To take the fire hose away from the fireman just wouldn’t sound right. I was a trained soldier, so for me, I never had any qualms about it. And I think you’d find that from a lot of members who are serving; they miss their families. We all do, but we know there is a mission to be accomplished. For me specifically it was September 11. I believe peace was thrown out the window on that day. I don’t care whether it’s Afghanistan, Iraq, wherever. I don’t want our service members there any more than anyone else, but it’s a bad
Pulido said that the greatest moment of his life with daughter Kaitlin, besides her being born, was the day he took her to kindergarten. A flag flew over Deer Creek Elementary School, where he spoke at the Veteran’s Day event. Afterwards, she said, ‘Daddy you’re my hero.’
“I cried that day because I had asked God to give me a second chance, to be able to take Kaitlin to school, and I was put back on this earth to see that moment,” he said. “She told me, ‘Daddy, I’ll be OK at school; you don’t have to cry.’ Of course it embarrassed her, but it meant a lot to me.”
The Pulidos celebrated the birth of a second daughter, Kinsley, in 2006, and together with Kaitlin are recipients of scholarships from organizations like Folds of Honor Foundation. In addition, because of this generous gift he decided to make a difference in the area of education
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