A Purple Heart Award was presented to a local veteran for his service and sacrifice Monday, nearly five years after being injured by enemy fire in an explosion.
It was an emotional moment that has been a long time coming for retired Staff Sergeant Vincent Arthur, who was wounded in Afghanistan back in 2010.
"It's a great honor to be part of a smaller group of men and women, who went overseas and put their life on the line for this country," said Arthur.
Today is symbolic for Arthur to win this esteemed award, because five years ago he returned from overseas. United States Senator, Dean Heller presented the Purple Heart Award to retired Staff Sergeant Arthur for his service.
"We don't want to see our men and women wounded, but when they are, they deserve this award and should be recognized for what they have done and sacrificed for this country," said Heller.
Arthur was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and was injured when a rocket exploded 25 yards away from him. His feet are dislocated and he still struggles with emotional ties to the explosion, but he's happy to be awarded this honor.
"You go over there, you just want to survive, just want to come back home. This award, this moment was in a microsecond, but my whole life flashed before me in a microsecond," said Arthur.
Arthur wants to help the military and plans to give back in some sort of way in the future.
