The day before Carlos Lazo was awarded a Bronze Star for his actions as a combat medic in Fallujah, he made one of his regular phone calls to Cuba.

He told his two sons, 16 and 19, who live in Cuba, that he would be thinking of them when U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, pinned the medal to his uniform yesterday morning at the Army National Guard Armory in Seattle. He told them he hoped he could see them soon.

"I'm proud to be an American, and I'm happy to serve," Lazo said. "We were in Iraq fighting for freedom. And now I'm here, and I'm fighting Congress for the freedom to travel to Cuba."

At yesterday's ceremony, Sgt. Lazo, along with fellow Army National Guard combat medics Sgt. Jean Gautreaux, Spc. Marcos Chavez and Spc. Arthur Molina, was awarded the Bronze Star for exceptionally meritorious service. Molina, who lost 30 percent of his hearing when a rocket-propelled grenade exploded near him, was also awarded a Purple Heart.

The men are among hundreds of soldiers from the National Guard's 81st Brigade who are being honored during "Freedom Salutes" throughout the state this weekend. The salutes recognize the soldiers for their service during recent deployments in Iraq.

For Lazo, it was a time to reflect on how much his life has changed since he left his home country on a raft 13 years ago, landing in Key West, Fla. He moved to the Seattle area, became a U.S. citizen and now works as a counselor for the state Department of Social and Health Services. He joined the Washington Army National Guard in 2001 because he wanted to give back to the country that had given him so many opportunities, he said.

"Lazo's story is an American success story," said Maj. Kurt Shevalier, commander of Lazo's company. "He represents all the things people in uniform are supposed to represent."

The 3,500 soldiers of Lazo's 81st Brigade were called to active duty in November 2003 and spent a year in Iraq. He and his fellow combat medics saw some of the bloodiest battles that occurred in Fallujah during that time.

"I still have nightmares," Gautreaux said, recalling the days of fighting their way into combat zones to retrieve soldiers with multiple gunshot wounds and mangled limbs.

"It takes real training and strength of character to keep going and administer to others under those conditions," said McDermott, who awarded the men their medals.

McDermott has also been trying to help Lazo in his quest to loosen travel restrictions that limit visits to Cuba to once every three years. Lazo hasn't seen his sons since April 2003.

"I only wish [Lazo] were able to share this moment with [his] children," McDermott said.

Rachel Tuinstra: 206-515-5637 or rtuinstra@seattletimes.com