Beech Tree News Network

The 12th anniversary of the events of 9/11 had a special event of its own take place Wednesday afternoon during a time of remembrance at Morgantown Care and Rehab. At the end of personal remarks by County Judge Executive David Fields, he called Morgantown resident Bobby Keown to the stage.

“I have something that is really special to me that I am going to do now. This is something that should have been done many years ago. This man is a personal friend of mine, we were in the same class and we have been friends for many, many years,” said Fields. Judge Fields explained that while Keown was a soldier in Viet Nam, he was seriously wounded, which resulted in him being awarded the Purple Heart. However, Keown did not actually receive the award until some 18 years after the war, and then without ceremony.

Speaking to the residents, Fields announced, “This is a very special day that you all are going to be in on. It is a great honor of mine to present officially to Bobby Keown, his Purple Heart.” The applause was loud and long.

The presentation was part of a larger program that included song by David Hunt, the National Anthem sung by Tiffany Winchell and the honoring of emergency personnel who were represented by Chief Deputy Heath West and Deputy Joe Alford, both with the Butler County Sheriff’s Department. Mary Howard, R.N., shared a poem she wrote just after the 9/11 attack.

Story and photos by Roger Southerland, Beech Tree News/WLBQ1570AM