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Wow. [clapping]
[Murmuring]
1st Sgt. Greg Swanson is a young but an experienced war veteran who has done tours of duty in
Iraq in 2006 and Afghanistan in 2012. And one year on homeland security detail and Newport
Chemical Depot. 36 year old Swanson who is married to the former Shawna Skinner has been
in the National Guard for nearly 19 years. He joined the guard at age 17 in September
of 1994 before his graduation in May of 1995 from the South Putnam High School near Greencastle.
When he's not defending his country in the National Guard Swanson is an Indiana Conservation
Officer assigned to Greene County for the last 10 years.
On May 21st, 2012 while on patrol in Parawan Province in Afghanistan an armored Max Pro
truck was attacked by numerous RPGs and small arms fire. Two rocket propelled grenades penetrated
the armor of the vehicle killing the driver Aaron Fields, and injuring four other service
members and one local national interpreter inside. All occupants received shrapnel wounds
and two received broken bones. 1st Sgt. Swanson received shrapnel to his left leg. 1st Sgt.
Swanson was awarded his original Purple Heart in a ceremony during his deployment in Afghanistan.
Law Enforcement Director Danny East would you like to say a few words?
How do you follow that? I just want to say that It's truly an honor to be associated
with such a great military background that's been shared with you. This act of kindness,
I guess, unselfishness, in which Greg presented a medal in which he definitely earned as you
all heard, to someone he felt had a greater need of recognition than what he did. That
speaks highly of the character of not only Greg, but all of the division of Indiana Conservation
Officers which he represents. I admire you for that, sir.
General Umbarger?
Well it's indeed an honor to be here with the family and Kenny with you and First Sergeant,
I'm very proud of you. When I heard of this and Director Clark made me aware that you
were a Conservation Officer and the great gesture that you did for this Greatest Generation
- a soldier that not only served his country for three years and was in so many conflicts.
Fought 531 of constant combat, and came home. Like that generation, said nothing about it,
I'm sure Kenny, the whole time he raised you and your brothers he just did his job and
was a great American and proud to be a Hoosier. First Sergeant for you to recognize that.
There are seven core values in the military, particularly in the Army, that we try and
live our lives by and we try to strive each and every day to live by. Duty, Honor, Respect,
respect ourselves, respect those fellow human beings that we live each and every day with.
Integrity, Try and do what's right. I think he did what was right. Loyalty. Loyalty to
your family, loyalty to your country, loyalty to your fellow man. Personal Courage, but
the last one here I think tells you to try and be Selfless in Service and you did a very
selfless act First Sergeant. I'm very proud of you and it's my distinct honor with Director
Clark to re-present to you the award of which you originally deserve, the Purple Heart.
So at this time attention orders.
Attention Orders: The United States of America to all who shall see these presence, greeting.
This is to certify that the President of the United States of America has awarded the Purple
Heart, established by General George Washington at Newburg, New York on August 7th, 1782,
to Sergeant First Class Gregory P. Swanson, United States Army for wounds received in
Action on 21 May, 2012 in Afghanistan given under my hand in the city of Washington this
22nd day of May 2012. Secretary of Army John M. McHugh.
Present Arms.
Order Arms.
[clapping]
I guess I'm supposed to say something.
I don't really know what to say. I appreciate the honor here today. I just did what I felt
was right. And I really don't have anything else to say. I really feel like when I gave
that to Kenny for him to do what he wanted to do with it for his dad that it would just
be him and I and maybe his brother who was standing close to the casket. So for this
to end up being here is kind of mind-boggling. Like I said, it was just the right thing to
do.
[clapping]
[murmuring]