THIS VETERANS DAY, I’M HONORING MY HUSBAND
KIMBERLY CLAWSON
Regional manager, Pediatrics
Business Development
UF Health Shands
Kimberly Clawson, who manages our regional business development activities for pediatrics, is honoring her husband, retired Col. Perry R. Clawson.
Was he called into combat? Col. Clawson graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1980. He was called back to Active Duty after 9/11 and served two tours in Iraq in 2004 and 2005. After more than 30 years of service in the U.S. Army, he was medically retired as a colonel in 2009 as a result of injuries he suffered from an improvised explosive device, or IED, blast in Iraq in 2005.
Special awards received: He is a recipient of two Purple Hearts for the wartime wounds he received. He also has been awarded the Distinguished Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Combat Action Badge, among his more than 20 military awards during his career.
What do you remember most about his service? Perry was on active duty when we met, in between two tours in Iraq. Before he was medically retired due to his injuries from a bomb blast, I was incredibly impressed with Perry’s ability to always remain calm in all situations. When he was overseas and had the chance to contact me back home, no matter what was happening, there was a sense of calm. He spent much of his time training and mentoring his troops.
His impact was felt by so many that many of them who are still on active duty continue to contact Perry with updates on their distinguished careers and to ask for advice or counsel.
I know there is always a part of Perry that wants to and will continue to serve. He is actively involved in veterans’ affairs in the Gainesville community.
As a member of the board of directors for the local Fisher House located at the Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Perry devotes numerous hours to fundraising. He actively participates in activities to serve military family members staying at the Fisher House.
Perry is also a member of many local military-related organizations advocating for the proper treatment, care and respect for our local military veterans in the Gainesville community. He is a member of the local Purple Heart Chapter.