Allred Helps North Texas Veteran Get the Purple Heart Medal He Earned 50 Years After Injuries in Vietnam War

Garland, Texas – On Friday, Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32) helped a North Texas veteran receive his Purple Heart medal 50 years after he suffered injuries while serving in Vietnam. U.S. Army Captain Elrie Freeman of Garland reached out to Allred's office in April this year to request help getting the Purple Heart medal he earned during the Vietnam War, 50 years after trying to get the medal on his own. Allred contacted the Department of Defense on Freeman's behalf to get him approved and the medal was personally delivered to him.

U.S. Army Captain Elrie Freeman with his Purple Heart medal and certificate on Friday.

His neighbors joined him for a socially-distant celebration of his honor.

"As a Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, it is one of my greatest honors to help our nation's veterans get the medals and benefits they are owed because of their selfless service to our country," said Allred. "Captain Freeman is an American hero and I am thankful for his service and so glad I could help him get the Purple Heart medal he earned in Vietnam."

Captain Freeman said of Allred after receiving his medals:

"I thank you, Congressman Allred and his team for the outstanding assistance you have provided me in applying for and receiving the Purple Heart awarded [to] me. I don't know if I would have continued my pursuit of applying for the award if it had not been for Congressman Allred and your immediate offer of help and assistance. That was crucial.

"You gave me the confidence that it could be accomplished through your experience in helping other veterans with similar challenges in the past. You wasted no time in getting to work expediting the application process resulting in me receiving the award in just a few months that could have otherwise taken exponentially longer.

"I was not aware that my wife, Kelly, had on the spur of the moment invited some of my neighbors to come to our little ceremony. They were very excited for me and very proud and supportive. Congressman Allred and his team made my day as well as my wife's and neighbor's. Thank You!"

Since entering Congress, Allred has helped many North Texas veterans and military families resolve issues with the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) and other federal agencies. Veterans and their family members who need help getting VA benefits, military medals and awards or other information can contact Allred's district office at 972-972-7949 for assistance with their issues. They can also visit Allred's veteran services page on his website at /services/veteran-services.

According to the Military Order of the Purple Heart; the Purple Heart Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.