Go Erie - Rep. Kelly Returns Lost Service Medals to World War II Veteran in Erie

News Article

By Gary Weiss

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, of Butler, R-3rd Dist., presented D'Aurora with the new medals. D'Aurora's niece, Anna Marie Amendola, of Erie, contacted Kelly in August, asking the congressman to help her family as they sought replacement medals.

Kelly reached out to the National Personnel Records Center, officials said, and his office received the medals in late January.

"All of you folks paid such a great price and did so much for us as a generation. It's incredible service you did," Kelly told D'Aurora in the main lobby of the Erie VA. "It is really a great honor to be with you today."

Kelly also spent time on Monday visiting with inpatient residents at the Erie VA as part of National Salute to Veterans Week.

"The smiles on their faces as they're being thanked, and told how grateful people are for their service, lasts the entire week and beyond," said Sarah Gudgeon, public affairs specialist at the Erie VA. "This is an exciting time for them, especially our inpatient residents who may not have many visitors throughout the year. They can see that they're not forgotten."

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