In the News

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Almost fifty years after joining the army, a Vietnam veteran finally receives his purple heart.

Bob Sangalli never thought he would receive awards for his service in Vietnam. But his family had other plans in store. "They pulled a surprise on me," explains Sangalli.

When the war came to an end, Bob chose to return to the US--instead of waiting for his medals to be prepared in Vietnam: "[I've] been waiting on the medals since then."

He figured they were lost in the mail: "I thought it was the post office."

Almost fifty years later, Bob's family drove him to Congressman French Hill's office. Bob's wife Ramona, and his son-in-law Aaron say, "We told him his son-in-law was getting an award for a project ."

Instead Bob was surprised with nine awards for his service--among them a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Earned, "just by being in Vietnam, receiving a wound, and carrying on with my duties, and surviving.'"

With his whole family at the ceremony, Bob's wife Ramona says the medals represent their family's appreciation: "We certainly feel like what he did made a difference, even at the time he was in service, it wasn't a popular thing to do, but we all appreciate everything he went through."

Now those medals will hang in their home to commemorate that sacrifice.