Several members of the Easton Fire Department were honored to attend Easton’s Purple Heart Ceremony Friday morning. The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Kurt Power who is an Iraq War Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart’s State Service Officer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Power fought in some of the heaviest combat of the war in Ramadi, Iraq in 2005-2006 where he served as a vigilant hunter conducting military operations on urban terrain to hunt high-level Al Qaeda operatives.
Despite frequent firefights, surviving multiple IED blasts, taking heavy casualties, and being shot in the chest by a sniper while on a reconnaissance mission in 2005, Power still says the hardest part of war is coming home. Through hard work and perseverance, he was fortunate enough to make a successful transition back to the civilian world.
He continues to help fight for Veterans in crisis everywhere in hopes we can one day end the Veteran suicide epidemic. He is the Founder of the Home Base No Shave fundraiser which has now raised over $1,000,000 to help fight veteran suicide. He also serves as a member of the Transit Police and has been a police officer for 13 years. He is currently assigned to the Youth Violence Strike Force where he serves as a full-time member of the Boston Police Gang Unit.
The Purple Heart is awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces who has been wounded or killed while serving in the line of duty. Purple Heart Day is observed each year on Aug. 7 to remember the sacrifices of those men and women.