The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces killed or wounded during their service.

Tuesday was Purple Heart Day, and in Conway, a veteran received this high honor.

Joseph Gilliam was a member of the Army. He served in the Vietnam War and was injured in combat when he hit a land mine.

Fifty years later, Gilliam says receiving the Purple Heart is a big honor, but it is not just for him – it’s for his brothers-in-arms who also served in Vietnam.

“This was not all for me,” Gilliam said. “It’s for a lot of the combat Vietnam veterans who fell by the wayside. So, it’s for them, too. We’re all brothers in one unit.”

Gilliam was also awarded a Bronze Star for his service in the Armed Forces.