DOVER, NH — A 91-year-old World War II veteran is upset because state law requires him to pay $180 a year for a Purple Heart license plate, while he could get a disabled veterans plate for free.
Robert Lyons says it's not about the money, but about the memory of other fallen heroes who deserve better.
Lyons joined the Navy when he was a young 20-year-old. He was terrified as bombers dropped out of the sky off the coast of Okinawa in April 1945.
“For 64 minutes, we were battling planes. Three of them hit the ship, the last one hit above my head,” he told FOX25.
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Six of his comrades were killed. Lyons ended up in the hospital, temporarily blind and with third degree burns. As reported on FOX25 at 6, several days later, his captain came to his hospital room with a medal.
“Some gave it all and some gave a little, I gave a little and got the Purple Heart,” he said,
The memories of war have faded with time, but the importance of that medal has not. That's why Lyons chose to register his van with special Purple Heart license plates, even though each year it costs him $180.
“I don't think it’s right, that's why I've been fighting this,” he said.
Lyons has waged a letter campaign against the New Hampshire DMV, asking them to waive the fee for Purple Heart plates.
The state responded last month with a letter denying him, saying by statute, the only free plates provided are to disabled veterans, as reported on FOX25 News at 6.
Lyons says local lawmakers have promised they'll try to change the law in the next legislative session in January. However, he worries that will be too late. Of the 335 men on his ship, only two others are still alive.
At 91, this is his final battle for those who have gone before, those he fought beside, and those still waging war.
"I want to get this done before I die," said Lyons.