Veteran receives overdue Purple Heart for '89 invasion of Panama

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By GRANT DeBRUIN

Story Created: Nov 12, 2008 at 11:17 AM EST

Story Updated: Nov 12, 2008 at 12:55 PM EST

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - An army veteran who was wounded during the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989 was finally awarded a medal that was long overdue.

David Lynch was awarded the Purple Heart in a ceremony at the Federal Building on Broad Street in Utica on Wednesday.

Lynch was on a mission when he was hurt in his leg. Although he finished the mission but found it hard to walk later.

Lynch says to have the medal now after all these years, is very fulfilling.

"There is no words for me to describe it, it's flabbergasting," Lynch said. "I mean, I thought I would never see it. I knew I was awarded the medal. Before I could actually be awarded the medal, I came stateside and they said 'oh it'll catch up to you,' but then I was deployed again."

Congressman Michael Arcuri helped secure the medal for Lynch.

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