General News: Army Officer Awarded Bronze Star
|
| Master Sgt. Kurpeawski's son pins the Bronze Star on his father. |
|
| Sgt. Kurpeawski spoke briefly about his experiences in Iraq. |
March 06, 2009
U.S. Army Master Sergeant Peter Kurpeawski is back from his third tour of duty in Iraq and a crowd of 75 people gathered Thursday evening at Painters Tavern to watch as his son pinned the Bronze Star Medal on him, an honor he won for meritorious service in a combat zone.
Master Sgt. Kurpeawski, who lives on Hudson Street in Cornwall, told the group of military veterans, politicians and friends that his first assignment in Iraq was in Fallujah, a dangerous hotbed of rebellion. He also served in Mosul in northern Iraq.
Kurpeaski said that with nearly three decades of military service, his first priority was to watch out for the safety of the troops he commanded. “I’m old enough to know the difference,” he said, to be sure the young soldiers “make it home in one piece.”
He thanked his wife, Victoria, who also did a tour of duty in Iraq, and his sons, Philip and Andrew. A carload of his co-workers at the Greenwich (Ct.) highway department had driven up for the ceremony and he thanked them for their support, noting that they had sent him 50 care packages over the years.
The party was organized by the American Legion Post 353 in Cornwall and its commander, Jim Kline. Post member Tom Doyle, a well-known local photographer, presented Master Sgt. Kurpeawski with a photo of the gazebo in Ring’s Pond, a view that Kurpeawski sees every morning when he is home. Maryanne Rose O’Dell presented him with a certificate of appreciation from state assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun and voiced the thoughts of many in the room with a simple, “Welcome home.”
Comments:
|
Welcome home Pete and congratulations! I'm sure your wife, Veronica and kids, Philip, Andrew and Victoria are all thrilled to have you back home. Hopefully for good this time.
posted by Annette Boyle on 03/06/09 at 11:02 AM
|
|
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
posted by D P on 03/06/09 at 2:27 PM
|
Add a Comment:
Please signup or login to add a comment.
|
 |
|
