SUNBURY -- Retired soldier Robert Bennett of Shickshinny calls this just a normal day, but the smile on his face says otherwise. After going back and forth with the Army for two years, Bennett finally received his purple heart.
"I'm not looking for the recognition, I'm not. It's just what I'm owed," said Bennett.
In 2007, Bennett was a Private First Class in the Army serving in Iraq where he was wounded by a car bomb.
"130 people that were hurt, mostly civilians," Bennett recalled.
At his office in Sunbury, Representative Lou Barletta presented Bennett with the Purple Heart. The Army originally sent Bennett the medal two years ago.
"He was given the medal, the Purple Heart and was asked to give it back. They said it was given by mistake and he knew that wasn't right," said Rep. Lou Barletta, (R) 11th District.
Bennett contacted Barletta's office and the Office of Veterans Affairs.
"They've been helping me ever since. The Army was pushing back, but Lou and Peggy were pushing harder."
"We had to get this done for Robert," said Pat Gorman, Northumberland County Veterans Affairs. "He most definitely deserved the medal, the Purple Heart, and we were going to get it accomplished for him."
And they did, sorting out the Army's clerical error.
There were many tears when Bennett got his Purple Heart. Everyone in this room worked for two years to make it happen.
"I don't give up ever, for any veteran," said Gorman. "I, myself, am a veteran. It's especially important to me."
Any other veterans who believe they have earned a medal are asked to contact their local representative's office.
