Rodriguez to present WWII hero a medal

Congressman Ciro Rodriguez (photo) will present a local World War II veteran with a long overdue Mariner's Medal tomorrow, Saturday March 17, 2007.

94-year-old Richard Stappenbeck will receive his honor 63 years after his service.

A Mariner's Medal is awarded to any seaman injured while in service, and is the Merchant Marine equivalent to a purple heart. Stappenbeck was injured when his ship, the SS Duncan U. Fletcher, came under attack in Italian waters in 1944.

Congressman Rodriguez will also present Stappenbeck a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol and a certificate of a Congressional Record entry made in honor of the medal presentation.

When: Saturday, March 17th at noon
Where: Veterans of Foreign Wars, 3111 Commercial Avenue