Two Soldiers to Receive Purple Heart Medals at VA Palo Alto

Two soldiers receiving treatment at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System will receive a Purple Heart at 2 p.m. Saturday for injuries they received during combat in Afghanistan.

One of the honorees is Army Pvt. Geoffrey Quevado, 20, who was severely injured on Nov. 20 as a result of stepping on an Improvised Explosive Device (IEL), according to VA Palo Alto spokeswoman Kerri Childress.

He was transfered to Landstuhl, the largest military medical facility outside of the U.S., in southwestern Germany, before making his way to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He arrived at the VA Palo Alto Polytrauma Center on Dec. 22 Center on Dec. 22.

The other honoree is Army Private First Class Semisi Tokailagi, 25, sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a mortar/rocket attack in Afghanistan on June 5 of last year.

His family is from Fiji, and his father Ananaiasa is a Palo Alto resident. Ananaiasa and extended family who live in the area will be attending the ceremony, according to Childress.

He has been at the VA for six months going through rehabilitation.

Army Major General Robert Ostenberg will present the awards. A decorated Vietnam War veteran, he is in charge of 12,000 active duty and army reserve troops in California, Nevada and Arizona.

The event will be held in the VA Palo Alto's (3801 Miranda Avenue) Healing Garden just off the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, Building 7D, across from the Fisher House.