Published: September 15, 2008 03:43 pm      

War hero speaks of passion for United Way

Ada — The United Way held a luncheon at Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. Thursday to kickoff its 2009 fund-raising campaign.

This year’s campaign goal is the highest ever at $300,000. By reaching this goal, 18-member agencies and local programs will continue to assist local community members in need. Latricia Bryant, executive director of Ada Regional United Way Campaign, said the Ada United Way has already raised 20 percent of the total and is hopeful the remainder will be raised.

Special guest speaker at the luncheon was retired U.S. Army Maj. Edward Pulido. Pulido is vice president of research and convening for United Way of Central Oklahoma, and an Iraq War Veteran.

Pulido spoke of the importance of the United Way, the value and importance of passion, his time in Iraq, and the injury he received there.

On Aug. 17, 2004, Pulido mobilized with the 75th Division 2nd Simulation Exercise Group, Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, to help train the new Iraqi Army. While driving his Commander to Kirkush Military training base, Pulidos vehicle hit an improvised explosive device (IED), or road side bomb, near the town of Baqouba, Iraq.

“Going about 80 miles-per-hour at 12:04 in the afternoon, boom, the bomb goes off,” Pulido said. “It exploded, it tore my knee apart in three places. The greatest thing is the airbag that deployed caught everything that day.”

Pulido said other soldiers pulled him from the wreckage and began to render aid. Due to the extensive injuries from the I.E.D. attack, the doctors at Brooke Army Medical Center amputated his left leg Oct. 1, 2004.

For his heroism and courage on that mission, the President of the United States awarded him the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Joint Service Achievement Medal.

The thought of his daughter growing up without her father helped Pulido fight for his life after the explosion.

“All I could think of was little Kaitlin,” Pulido said.

Pulido’s wife of 14 years, Karen, recently gave birth to another daughter, Kinsley Eden, two months, and Kaitlin is now 5. Pulido speaks all over the United States about the United Way and his experience in Iraq. He and his family live in Edmond.