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Famly members submitted this photo of Willard "Bill" Purkett, who died in 2000, to Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont. Zinke honored Puirkett and other Montana veterans Wednesday on the foor of Congress.
U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont.
A decorated Havre veteran was one of several honored in Congress Wednesday by a member with an impressive military history of his own.
Havre veteran Willard "Bill" Purkett, who died in 2000 at age 50, was one of the veterans Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., a former Seal Team 6 commander, honored on the floor of the House of Representatives.
"Montana has a great heritage of service, and we lead the nation with about 1-in-10 of us putting on the uniform to serve our nation," Zinke said in a press release. "As a commander in the U.S. Navy I have seen the bravest our nation has to offer fight nobly for our freedoms. Every time I cast a vote, I think of these men and women. No veteran should ever be forgotten which is why I'm eliminating the deadline in order to honor every Montana veteran. I'd like to encourage all Montanans to send in photos of their loved ones who have served to be honored in my office in our nation's capital."
Purkett received two Purple Hearts during his service with the U.S. Army in Viet Nam from 1967-1969.
His family provided Zinke, who is seeking photos of Montana veterans, with a photograph of Purkett in uniform.
Zinke announced Wednesday he will continue to honor more veterans throughout the year and requested Montanans continue sending photos.
Friends and family members from across Montana submitted photos and details of their loved ones. In addition to the floor speech, Zinke will hang a permanent and on-going display in his office with the veterans' photos and details of their service.
People are encouraged to mail a copy of their photos of the service member, with details of the individual's service - branch, rank, years active, etc. - and the member's hometown to Zinke's Billings office: Hon. Ryan K. Zinke 222 N. 32nd Str, Suite 900 Billings, MT 59101. The photos will also be highlighted on social media. Montanans are encouraged not to send the only copy of the photo, as the photos will be on display permanently and will not be returned.
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