Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) hosted a ceremony on Friday honoring four Florida recipients of the Purple Heart, adding their stories to the Congressional Record for Purple Heart Recognition Day.
The Men Honored
The recipients honored in Friday's ceremony were all wounded in combat, two in Vietnam and two in Iraq.
Navy Commander Douglas Doughty (Ret.) was wounded in April 1969 during the Vietnam War, when shrapnel struck his shoulder and lower body. Doughty remained in the Navy Reserves, serving once again during Operation Desert Storm.
Similarly, Sergeant Peter McKanna of the Marine Corps was wounded in Vietnam on Christmas Day in 1970 after stepping on an explosive device.
Finally, Sergeant Jason Crawford and Staff Sergeant Dustin Tuller (Ret.) served during Operation Iraqi Freedom in December 2003.
In a gunfight with enemy forces in Baghdad, both were critically wounded, with Sgt. Crawford shot in the jaw and Staff Sgt. Tuller taking multiple shots that cost him his legs. Crawford urged medics to tend to Tuller first, and both survived to be honored in Friday's ceremony.
What Moody is Saying
"On Purple Heart Recognition Day, we honor our nation's wounded warriors and those who have died in service of our country," said Sen. Moody in her press release, adding, "No one ever serves hoping to receive this medal; it is not an honor anyone sets out to earn—it is given because an American stood his or her ground against an enemy."
Sen. Moody emphasized that "It's a privilege to introduce a resolution in Congress honoring these patriots' sacrifice, as well as spotlight four brave Floridians by including their stories in the Congressional Record."
Past Honoring
In April, Moody and Representative Aaron Bean (R-FL) introduced a bill designating the only National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Museum and Memorial in the U.S., located in Jacksonville, Fla., as a National Landmark.
"Prisoners of wars and soldiers missing in action deserve our prayers, support and recognition of their immense sacrifice. There is no better place to honor their service than Florida, because of our long tradition of supporting veterans," the Florida Senator declared.
