About 60 of Short's relatives, friends and fellow veterans gathered at the Macomb Armory for an emotional ceremony.

Short said the medals were stolen in February 2006 burglary. Two men were arrested, but police were unable to recover the missing military honors.

The replaced medals and awards included a Meritorious Service medal, a Bronze Star, two Army commendation medals, a Vietnam Service award and a Humanitarian Service award.

The medal retrieval process began in March when Short's friend, Al Waters of Macomb, e-mailed Hare to ask for help. Hare called Monday's ceremony "one of the nicest things I've done since taking this job."

"And people say it doesn't do any good to write your congressman," he joked. "When I received the e-mail I sat down and shook my head. I can't believe anyone would stoop so low."

Hare said the medals are a symbol of Short's commitment and service.

"The medals are beautiful, but he worked so hard to earn them over the span of 30 years," Hare said. "He's given his entire life to his country."

Waters, who described Short as an "American hero," works with Short's wife and listened as the family went through the burglary ordeal.

"I feel when a person has earned these honors they've given so much of themselves," Waters said. "(When they're stolen) it's like they've taken a part of the person."

Short retired from the Army in 1995 but continues to work in the Macomb Armory for the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. He served in Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Operation Desert Storm and in Haiti.

Monday was the 43rd anniversary of his enlistment in the Army. He said he was touched by the actions of others on his behalf.

"I knew I could write and explain what happened to the medals, I just hadn't done it," he said. "Al went out of his way."

Friends described Short as a humble man, and on Monday he said he received the medals with the help of "the young men and women who made me look good."

"They worked hungry, they worked tired and they worked thirsty," he said.

Short said when his house was burglarized, the two men, both who served time in prison, also made off with money and a jewelry box after ransacking the home's bedrooms.

Fellow Army veteran Aaron Thorpe said he was pleased to see Short receive new medals.

"He, to me, is what a soldier is all about," he said. "If someone is hurting for something he will go the extra mile. He's not an 8-to-5 man."

As part of the festivities, Macomb Mayor Mick Wisslead proclaimed Monday as "Kermit D. Short Appreciation Day" in the city.