WAYNOKA, Okla. -- Several hundred people turned out to the all purpose building at Waynoka High School at 11AM to honor Specialist Eric Milledge. He received a Purple Heart from the US Army for injuries he sustatined during a 2008 deployment to Iraq.
"Wow, it's undescribable. It's something that I feel like acknowledges what he did," says his mother, Gayla Milledge.
Eric got hurt during an IED attack as part of Operation Crimson Tide.
Others in his unit were also wounded, and one died. Despite his injuries, Eric worked to save others in the unit.
It's hard for him to remember that day. He teared up at the service.
"I don't think it's all sunk in yet, it probably won't for awhile., but it feels good to finally, to finally have it," says Eric of his award.
Eric left the army in 2011, and now works in his hometown at the local feed co-op.
