IRVING, TX – Five veterans were awarded medals and ribbons for their military service on Aug. 7 by Congressman Kenny Marchant (TX-24) at his district office in Irving.

The honored veterans, many out of the service for over twenty to forty years, had either been unaware of their service achievements or lost track of their awards.

The five veterans included Gary Jackson of Euless, Robert Harrison of Carrollton, Mark Stewart of Grand Prairie, Washington McClain on behalf of his father, Hart, of Cedar Hill, and Bennie Lemons of Irving. 

Marchant spoke highly of the veterans and their contribution to the country.  “We are extremely grateful and indebted to the service you provided our country.  It is a special honor to have this opportunity to thank you individually and present the awards you deserve.” 

Many of the veterans in attendance served in Korea, Vietnam, or World War Two.  After the ceremony, veterans and their families gathered in the conference room and discussed their own unique stories from the service.  For example, Bennie Lemons described his experience leaving his small hometown to serve in Okinawa during the war. 

The long list of awards presented at the ceremony included but were not limited to: the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. 

Marchant’s military and veterans affairs liaison, John Hayes, played a critical role in gathering information about the veterans and attaining their respective awards.

The office of Congressman Marchant encourages veterans who have served and not received their awards or misplaced them to contact the district office at (972) 556-0162.  

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