AW2 Veteran Jeremy Harrell and his wife Alisha at his Purple Heart ceremony on October 10, 2009.
By Lee McMahon, WTC Stratcom
On July 2, 2006, on a road east of Balad, Iraq, the vehicle AW2 Veteran Jeremy Harrell was traveling in was struck by an anti-tank hand grenade. Harrell received shrapnel and burns before leaping into action and responding to the attack by pulling the gunner to safety and returning fire. For his actions that day, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device.
On October 10, 2009, Harrell received his Purple Heart Medal from injuries received in the 2006 attack which ultimately ended his Army career. An error in the original packet delayed the orders being issued to give Harrell his Purple Heart. Harrell’s AW2 Advocate, Cori Cabell, worked to re-submit the packet and have the Army correct the mistake. In front of Family and an audience filled with well-wishers, Harrell was presented the Purple Heart Medal by Louisiana Senator David Vitter. Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Gold Star Mothers attended the ceremony held at the U.S.S. Kidd museum in Baton Rouge.
I had a chance to speak with Jeremy Harrell before the ceremony and asked him what it meant to receive this long overdue medal.
“It brings closure to certain chapters. It verifies the last thing I earned,” he said.
LA VA Secretary Lane Carson and AW2 Veteran and LA VA Outreach Coordinator Michael McNaughton also attended the ceremony to support Harrell and his Family. AW2 Advocate Cori Cabell told me it was a remarkable sight to see. All these individuals from different decades of service, in different parts of the government, with different relationships to Harrell, all gathered for one purpose—to see a wrong made right and to honor the service of one of our country’s brave service men.
Harrell’s goal now?
“Try to live my life. One day at a time. Volunteer some of my time to other guys. Help others who have been through similar situations.”
Thank you for your service, SPC Harrell.
