Honoring his bravery while serving in the Vietnam War, Veteran Emil Ercolano is presented with a Purple Heart, by Congressman Dan Donovan.

“It’s just an honor to be recognized, I was wounded gave blood for my country,” said Ercolano.

The Ceremony took place at the Vetaran's Affairs Medical Center, in Brooklyn, next to the Purple Heart Monument.

The Purple Heart is the oldest U.S. military decoration and is awarded to service members injured or killed while in the line of duty. Ercolano sustained serious injuries, including brain trauma after a land mine explosion.                              

“We were performing a mine sweep operation October 10th 1968, on a return trip, a truck hit a mine and we were blown out of the truck, brings back a lot of bad memories.

Although his actions qualified him for a Purple Heart, it wasn’t until decades later, encouraged by fellow veterans, that he pursued the application process. But Ercolano waited for years to be approved. Eventually seeking help from Congressman Dan Donovan, who appealed to the Secretary of the Army on his behalf.

“Unfortunately it took us since 1997 to do this but he earned this medal. The only people who wear this medal are those who sacrifice and were injured fighting for our freedoms,” said Donovan.

Now nearly 50 years after his injuries, Ercolano received the long overdue award, surrounded by loved ones.

“Very persistent, strong man, worked real hard his entire life, was very proud,” said his son, Nicholas Ercolano.

Ercolano says he’s been coming to the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center for years to treat his PTSD.

That’s why it was so important for him to hold the ceremony here.

“I came home from Vietnam in 1969. I was 20 and I was already an old person. If you do time in combat you see things and do things that no 19-year-old kid should have to,”

That's why Ercolano encourages all veterans to seek support, and asks the community to get behind them.

“I'm not a hero, i'm far from a hero, the heroes are up in heaven right now, the soldiers that gave their lives for what we have and what we enjoy today,” said Ercolano.