SAN ANTONIO - A local Army veteran says he's grateful after he survived COVID-19, but it isn't all good news for him.
"I was running a temp and she was running a temp," Allee Wallace said of his wife.
He took his wife, 84-year-old Leola, to the ER after they both fell ill.
"They had her enclosed in like a glass dome, and she still had the same clothes that I had dressed her in," Allee said.
Allee says he and Leola were separated as doctors treated them for COVID-19.
"I didn't realize she was on her death bed, and that would be the last time I saw her alive," Allee recounted to us.
Allee says he doesn't know how or where they contracted the virus.
"My daughter said I was breathing hard, lack of breath, I was sweating and coughing," Allee remembered.
Alle was hospitalized for 5 weeks, he lost 40 pounds in four days. But the worst loss was the love of his life.
"I think it was the 11th of March, she passed, it was two days after I had seen her," Allee said, holding back tears.
A loss he says he came to terms with.
"It wasn't that hard really to lose her because I knew what she was going through," Allee said.
Allee told us he'll miss the woman he loved for 64 years.
"That's where we fell in love, we used to dance all over town," Allee remembered.
Now that he's recovered he's sharing his experience, warning others about the virus and its dangers.
Allee is set to be the Grand Marshall for the first Charlie Watkins Parade of Honor for Veterans
"We actually have veterans that we're assisting that have tested positive for COVID-19 and hearing his story can give them hope, that I survived from the virus and you can too," Jaqueline Smith, who's putting on the parade, said.
As the number of COVID-19 cases increases daily, Allee is taking matters into his own hands reminding everyone to be safe.
"You gotta have your mask, stay away form big crowds, wash your hands," Allee said.
The parade of honor will raise funds to purchase clothing, shoes, hygiene items and a van to transport homeless veterans to medical appointments.
If you would like to donate, you can reach out to the Jacqueline Smith Foundation.
Phone: 210-646-8408
Email: Outreach@thejsmithfoundation.org
A drop spot for the clothing is:
Maaco located at 6413 Walzem Road