<B> FORT STEWART, Ga. </B> A Desert Rogue Soldier received the nation's oldest active award, the Purple Heart, in front of Family, friends and fellow Soldiers during a ceremony held at Fort Stewart's Marne Garden, July 27.
Staff Sgt. Thomas Gorsuch, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, received the Purple Heart due to injuries sustained when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device while on a route clearly mission in Iraq.
"Many combat veterans carry invisible scars of combat. However, those who carry the Purple Heart bare a clearly visible sign of combat," said Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, 3rd ID commander.
Major General Cucolo also said that those who have received the Purple Heart all have their own story to tell, for all Soldiers to learn from, and that Staff Sgt. Gorsuch's story would no doubt include Sgt. William Allmon, 1/64th Armor, who was killed in the same explosion in which Staff Sgt. Gorsuch suffered his injuries.
Sergeant Allmon's mother, Donna Douglas was present at Staff Sgt. Gorsuch's pinning and stayed by his side while Family, Soldiers, and all welcomed to the ceremony came to thank both of them for their service and sacrifices.
"It is hard to explain how or what it means to receive the Purple Heart," said Staff Sgt. Gorsuch. "It is not something one desires to bare, but it is something that everyone respects."
Staff Sergeant Gorsuch said that it has been difficult at times while recovering from his injuries, but that his wife, Holly, has been at his side to help him recover.
"She's been crucial in helping me, whether it is just helping me get around, dealing with sometimes severe headaches, or helping me get used to large crowds; she has been by my side," said Staff Sgt. Gorsuch.
"The Purple Heart is never earned it is entitled... every child knows growing up of two medals, the Medal of Honor and, of course, the Purple Heart as a symbol of those that gave more for the nation, and in the eyes of a Soldier it is a symbol of so much more," said Lt. Col. Ross Coffman, commander, 1/64th Armor.
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