Purple Heart For Slain Marine's Family

The family didn't get the medal last month with Ferrell's other personal belongings. They didn't have enough marines at the time for a formal ceremony.

“We could have given the purple heart with just a few marines as the marine corps goes we want to do things the right way,” says Gunnery Sergeant Walter Hall. Since Ferrell's passing, the one mile stretch of road leading to the Fretwell Tabernacle from the interstate has been lined with ribbons and American flags. The medal will find a place in the Ferrell home and be put on display--unlike her son's dog tags. Pam Ferrell wears them everyday.

“It makes me feel closer to my son knowing this was with him at all times in is service and at his death,” says Ferrell’s mother Pam. The marine was killed in Afghanistan in August.