Photo By Staff Sgt. Victoria Boyton | Retired Master Sgt. Donald Scott, adjusts audio levels during chapel services, Aug. 4,...... read more read more
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National Purple Heart Day is celebrated annually, Aug. 7. The Purple Heart medal is awarded to service members wounded or killed during combat while serving in the armed forces.
Donald Scott, retired Air Force master sergeant, recalls how he earned his Purple Heart during the 1996 bombing at Khobar Towers, Dharan Air Base.
“I was cut up, there were other people who were shredded up,” said Scott. “I did what I could to bandage myself up and help get the others into ambulances so they can be taken to downtown hospitals. The next morning, I received stitches.”
The 8th annual Wayne County/Goldsboro Purple Heart Foundation Purple Heart banquet took place, Aug. 3, 2019, in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The banquet honored Purple Heart recipients, Gold Star families and post-military deceased veteran’s families.
The banquet included a walk of honor, dinner, a reading of this year’s Purple Heart proclamation and a ceremonial cutting of the cake.
This year’s key note speaker was Col. Brian Montgomery, 4th Fighter Wing vice commander.
“I say ‘thank you’ to the Purple Heart honorees in attendance tonight. It is because of our pain, your duty, your sacrifice and your triumphs that I get to stand here,” said Montgomery. “You shoulder the burden of our nation’s security and through your resilience, you have inspired a new generation of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast guardsmen to take up arms and defend our country.”
Montgomery also shared a personal connection he has to a few Purple Heart recipients, who made the ultimate sacrifice and explained he wears a remembrance bracelet to honor them.
Prior to the banquet, Purple Heart recipients were invited to attend a private gathering to socialize and have a portrait taken.
“Seeing the men who were wounded and listening to some of their war stories hit me hard and made me proud to be part of the Purple Heart family,” said Scott.
Scott’s father also received a Purple Heart during his time in the United States Marine Corps.
“I was proud to follow in his footsteps,” added Scott. “I wasn’t even expecting it.”
Scott retired after 24 years in the Air Force, he now works at the Seymour Johnson Base chapel overseeing the protestant service technical sound and music service.
Scott has the opportunity to stay connected with military members, their families and fellow veterans.
“I’m proud to serve,” said Scott. “The chapel staff is great, everyone is one big family.”
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2019 15:14 |
| Story ID: | 335578 |
| Location: | GOLDSBORO, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 179 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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