Bordallo Presents Purple Heart to Guam Soldier: SGT Jeremy Balmonte

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—June 14, 2006—Washington, D.C.—

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo presented the Purple Heart award today to Sergeant Jeremy Balmonte, formerly of Dededo in her Washington, D.C. office.  Balmonte, the son of Jamie and Catherine Balmonte was a Combat Engineer serving with E Company, 1^st Battalion, 15^th Infantry Regiment, 3^rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Balad, Iraq at the time of his injuries.  Balmonte’s unit is home based at Fort Benning, Georgia.  Balmonte was serving on his second combat tour in Iraq with the 3^rd Infantry Division.

Joining Congresswoman Bordallo for the solemn ceremony was Major General Galen B. Jackman, Chief of the Army Office of Legislative Liaison, distinguished guests from the Guam Society of America and Congressman Walter B. Jones of North Carolina (NC).

A four-year Army veteran, Balmonte was awarded the Purple Heart on December 20, 2005, for injuries received as a result of hostile actions in Iraq.  Balmonte sustained injuries to both his legs from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).  Balmonte was first evacuated to Balad, Iraq before being transferred to Landstuhl, Germany, and finally to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. where he continues his rehabilitation today.

“Sergeant Balmonte has made his country and his island proud,” Bordallo stated. “It was an honor to welcome Sergeant Balmonte to the United States Capitol, itself a symbol of American freedom, and to bestow upon him the Purple Heart, an award that signifies the enormous level of his service and his sacrifice in defending freedom in Iraq.”

Balmonte has undergone several operations to both of his legs and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  He hopes to return to his unit at Fort Benning, Georgia in the near future and is focused on becoming healthy enough to return to his duties as a combat engineer and leading Soldiers in the United States Army.

“I want to express my thanks to Congresswoman Bordallo for hosting today’s ceremony.  People ask me why I do what I do.  I can’t sit at a desk but I can be on the ground, serving with my friends and brothers.  I just hope for a speedy recovery so that I can get back to Iraq and be with my fellow soldiers, my brothers,” Balmonte stated.

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. military who are injured in combat actions against an enemy.  Originally established as the Badge of Military Merit by then General George Washington, the medal took its current form as the Purple Heart under the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur prior to World War II.  It has been awarded to servicemembers wounded in action ever since.

Major General Galen B. Jackman noted during the ceremony the appropriateness of the day chosen to pin the Purple Heart on SGT Balmonte. June 14^th is celebrated as the birthday of the United States Army and is a national holiday, Flag Day, which celebrates the American Flag and its inception as the symbol of the United States of America.  On June 14, 1777, the “Stars and Stripes” was first authorized by the Continental Congress to represent the United States.  The entry in the journal of that Congress read: “Resolved that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes alternate red and white: that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

Photo 1: Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo congratulations Sergeant Jeremy Balmonte of Guam upon his being bestowed a Purple Heart by Major General Galen B. Jackman (left), the Army's Chief of Legislative Liaison, as Congressman Walter B. Jones of North Carolina (right) looks on.

Photo 2: Major General Galen B. Jackman (left), the Army's Chief of Legislative Liaison, thanks Sergeant Jeremy Balmonte for his service on behalf of the United States.  Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo and Congressman Walter B. Jones look on.

Photo 3: From L-R:  Lourdes Barrett, Treasurer of the Guam Society of America, Inc. (GSA); John Salas, GSA President; Sergeant Jeremy Balmonte; Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo; Congressman Walter B. Jones of North Carolina; and Major General Galen B. Jackman, Chief Legislative Liaison, U.S. Army.

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Contact:  Alicia Chon in Washington, D.C. at (202) 225-1188 or Joseph E. Duenas at (671) 477-4272/4.

www.house.gov/bordallo

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