News : Chicago Cubs to honor Vinton veteran John Gualtier tomorrow

John Gualtier waves during a parade in 2011; tomorrow he will wave to the Wrigley Field fans.

During each Chicago Cubs home baseball game, the team and its fans honor someone who has served America in one of the armed services.

Tomorrow's honoree will be Vinton resident John Gualtier, a World War II medic who has in recent years spent hours sharing his story in classrooms, and also thousands of volunteer hours helping veterans with transporation and paperwork as they prepare for appointments at VA facilities.

"During each game, we recognize a current or former member of the military," says Cubs Communications Manager Kevin Saghy. "The honoree steps out onto the field along the third base line in the fourth inning while our public address announcer reads their background and asks fans to join us in recognizing their service to our country."

Below is what those attending the game will hear about Gualtier's service:

Sgt John T Gualtier resides in Vinton, IA. He served in WWII, as a Combat Medic assigned to Company A, 371st Medical Battalion, 71st Infantry Division. He served in the European Theater of Operations: France, England, Austria, and Germany, and participated in the Liberation of the Jewish Concentration Camps at Gunskirchen, Austria, and Staubling, Germany. Sgt Gualtier has been awarded the Bronze Star for Valor, as well as the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Combat Medical Badge and the World War II Honorable Service Pin – A Shining Example of “America’s Greatest Generation!”

Gualtier said he does not know why the team chose him, or how Cubs management learned about him. He said he does not believe he will appear on TV; the Cubs game will be broadcast on KCRG 9.3 at 3 p.m. when Chicago hosts the Pittsburg Pirates.