Wounded Ohio Veterans Honored
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 7:49 PM
Updated: Thursday, November 19, 2009 11:10 AM
By Stephanie Mennecke
Those chosen were Vets wounded in combat while serving in the U.S. Armed forces. The ceremony was about sacrifice and honor. Soldiers from every branch of the military were represented, and a select few received the high honors.
Sgt. First Class Sean Clifton was one of the wounded soldiers honored.
"As I entered the doorway, 22 fighters were in there that we weren't aware of and I just happened to walk into a wall of bullets," said Clifton.
It was May, 31 during a raid in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Clifton has since been through 20 surgeries and he has more ahead of him. It's taken Sgt. Clifton almost six months to recover, a rough time for his family.
Sarah Clifton will never forget that phone call she received about her husband being shot, and as she watched her husband receive this award, pride took over.
"Just a few months ago, I didn't know if he was going to be here or not," said Sarah Clifton. "I look at him everyday and can't even believe that he is here, and I look at my two little boys and its overwhelming."
Sgt. Clifton said he is just one of many veterans wounded while on duty. He was honored to to receive this award, and said, "I'm just very lucky to be here, lucky to be alive."
Sgt. Clifton is currently on medical leave.
The wounded veterans were honored through America's favorite national pastime. The ceremony took place at Huntington Park, home of the Columbus Clippers. Baseball bats and jerseys were distributed to the honorees.
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