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View Full Version : Back from Iraq, six Marines get Purple Hearts in Tampa ceremony



thedrifter
10-26-05, 06:21 AM
Back from Iraq, six Marines get Purple Hearts in Tampa ceremony
an ABC Action News report 10/25/05

TAMPA - As he shook hands offered in congratulations Tuesday, Marine GySgt. Jose Sanchez was still wearing the bandages from his injuries in Iraq.

He and LCpl. Stephen Biegel were racing to help the victims of a car bomb when, he explained, "as we went through one of the main roads to get down to assist them, there was a car parked on the side of the road that exploded into our vehicle."

They were burned, hit by shrapnel, and cut in the July crash. Now have the Purple Heart for their injuries.

"It's the one medal everybody says is nice, but you really don't want to get it. But it does show that you can actually make it home," Sanchez offered.

All six of the Marines from the just returned last week from a successful tour of Iraq. Some of their wounds have healed; some others haven't.

Their colonel said the medals not of recognition, but of a sacrifice that should be remembered by all.

"Because they've given up some amount of comfort or health -- some small, some large; some temporary, some permanent. But nonetheless, they've given that in hopes that all of you get one more day of freedom or peace," Lt. Col Taz Olson stated.

One other member of the unit that also got a Purple Heart. Pasco County Deputy Josh Cooley's medal was presented by the president himself months ago; he's still hospitalized and couldn't be at the Tampa ceremony.

Ellie