Beneath the searing, merciless skies of post-9/11 Iraq, SPC Lou Rose stood among massive burn pit, where smoke thick with the ash of plastics, chemicals and debris hung heavily in the desert air.
Years later, long after the dust of deployment had supposedly settled, a silent shadow took root inside him and ultimately won the battle against stage four esophageal cancer.
Members of Rose’s family gathered on Friday at the Veterans Chamber Summit to bestow six health care leaders with an award in his name.
Thomas Rose spoke of his brother, who also served as a police officer.
“I’d just like to thank everybody for coming out this morning to honor Lou,” he said. “The most deserving people of this reward are our medical people; they’re by us no matter what … they’re the people we turn to when we’re in need.”
The award ceremony was opened by Col. (Ret.) Jeff Cantor, the CEO of the Veterans Chamber and a friend of Rose’s. The two of them served in Iraq together.
A powerful tribute, the first recipient of the SPC Lou Rose Health Care Hero Award was his mother, Melissa Rose, for standing with and supporting Lou Rose throughout his treatment.
