Community Corner

Sgt. Kelly Keck Honored With Combat Action Badge

Retired Staff Sgt. Kelly Keck, who earlier this year was presented a home through the "Home For Our Troops" program, has been honored with a Combat Action Badge.

Keck, a disability program manager for the Army Test and Evaluation Command, received the badge during a June 12 ceremony.

The Combat Action Badge recognizes those soldiers "who personally engage the enemy or are engaged by the enemy during combat operations," according to a news release on the honor.

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It was created in 2005, and awarded to 100,000 troops. 

Aside from the "Home for Our Troops," Keck was also presented a quilt from "Quilts for Heroes"—a non-profit that honors the sacrifices of service men and women, according to the news release.

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Keck suffered severe injuries while deployed in Afghanistan in September 2008. The Army combat medic was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade, Special Troops Battalion when a vehicle he was riding in ran over an improvised explosive device.

The news release said Keck "was evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he was treated for a below-the-knee amputation and amputations of the fingers on his left hand."

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