Congressmember Bob Turner presented eight medals to Ozone Park resident Anita Hucke on behalf of her late husband, World War II veteran Charles V. Hucke on May 22. “Just as our veterans go above and beyond the call of duty to protect us, it is our duty to go above and beyond to honor their service properly. Mr. Hucke was shot and wounded during battle and continued to fight. His actions during numerous battles warrant all of the recognition in the world,” Turner said. Towards the end of March, Hucke contacted Turner’s office to help obtain a replacement Purple Heart Medal that her husband was awarded for injuries sustained on Sept. 11, 1944 in France. The congressmember’s office was not only able to get the replacement medal, but his office also verified Mr. Hucke’s entitlement to a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground combat during the Northern France Campaign, as well as the Combat Infantry Badge 1st Award; World War II Victory Medal; American Campaign Medal; Europe-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze stars; Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII and Good Conduct Medal. Hucke and her son, Richard, were overjoyed by the unexpected medals and commendations. “He was very kind to me. It was very heartwarming that he took so much time explaining everything to me and really expressing his sorrow as if he knew my husband. My son and I were extremely surprised because we didn’t know about it. My husband wasn’t the kind of guy who would talk about what he went through in the service,” Hucke said of finding out about the additional medals she would be receiving. “In his last days, all of a sudden, he would say I was shot in the war. Don’t forget my husband was a very young man when he was hurt. Now, when I think of all the things they went through, it means so much that Congressman Turner took the time to come present this to me.”