Purple Heart Awarded To Oklahoma Soldier

Sunday, May 6th 2007, 7:33 pm

By: News On 6

A Green Country soldier who survived not one, but two roadside bombs in Iraq receives a Purple Heart. Staff Sergeant Brock Ramsey returns to service at Fort Knox in Kentucky on Monday. Ramsey says not being able to come home much is difficult, but The News On 6â€™s Chris Wright reports he has tried to make the most of his time at home.

Staff Sergeant Brock Ramsey played with his three children one last time on Sunday. The Eufaula native is leaving for 18-months of active duty at Fort Knox in Kentucky. After that, there's a chance he could return for a third tour of duty in Iraq.

"My dad, I miss him when he goes to Iraq, and that's how he makes me sad," Staff Sergeant Ramseyâ€™s daughter Cheyenne said.

Cheyenne's father has had a run of bad luck while overseas. During his first tour of duty, he contracted Leishmanaisis, a nasty skin disease transmitted by sand flies. In July last year, his second tour, he was injured when his Bradley Tank rolled over a roadside bomb. In September, it happened again. This time, three of his men were killed in the explosion, including a close friend.

"It was hard to take it because it was someone I knew personally, real close friend, kind of like a brother. It was a hard," said Purple Heart recipient Staff Sergeant Brock Ramsey.

In February, Ramsey was awarded the Purple Heart for the head and back injuries he suffered during the first explosion, an honor that impressed his kids.

"I like it, it is a heart and it has this president on it, and yeah it's purple on the bottom," said Ramseyâ€™s son Clifton.

And while he misses spending quality time with his children, Ramsey says if called upon he won't hesitate to head back to Iraq.

"Nobody forced me to raise my right hand and go fight for my country, so I'd do it willingly," he said.

Staff Sergeant Ramsey plans on remaining in the Army for the rest of his career. He has already spent nearly a dozen years serving his country, and says there is nothing else he would rather do.

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