National Purple Heart Day is a time to honor the brave men and women who were wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. military. At Portrait of a Warrior Gallery in Downtown Bakersfield, one local veteran is reflecting and remembering their efforts.

"I was wounded in action by two grenades and as I was being escorted off the hill from the combat, I was also shot in the arm and I made it home today at 77 years old,” said Marine Veteran Richard Knight.

Sergeant Knight fought during the Vietnam war and says he spent two and a half months in recovery before returning to the battlefield in 1968.

Receiving an early release 2 and a half years into his three-year commitment, Sergeant Knight says he never stopped serving, now spending his time as a volunteer at Portrait of a Warrior Gallery i

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