Long-awaited closure
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 7 years AGO
LOREN BENOIT/Press Ashley Armstrong hugs her daughter, Alyssa, 8, during her late husband PFC. Jeremy Armstrong’s Purple Heart ceremony Friday afternoon at Coeur d’Alene VFW Post 889.
Ashley Armstrong holds her husband PFC. Jeremy Armstrong's Purple Heart, which was finally awarded posthumously to his family Friday afternoon in the VFW Post 889 in Coeur d'Alene. Jeremy passed away in March 2017 before he was able to attend his ceremony, which was scheduled for the following month. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Memories of the late U.S. Army PFC. Jeremy Armstrong, his family and his military friends are displayed on a table at his Purple Heart ceremony Friday afternoon in the Coeur d'Alene VFW Post 889. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Members of the VFW Post 889 stand at attention as Ashley Armstrong is presented with her late husband U.S. Army PFC. Jeremy Armstrong's Purple Heart medal Friday afternoon in the Coeur d'Alene VFW Post 889. At least 50 active military, retirees, veterans and loved ones also gathered to honor the memory of Jeremy, who died March 22, 2017. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
By DEVIN WEEKS
Staff Writer
COEUR d’ALENE — Three stoic and silent Patriot Guard Riders approached Ashley Armstrong's three young children to present them with plush, keepsake bears.
It was an emotional moment, followed by an even more powerful exchange when the Coeur d'Alene widow was presented with a folded American flag and, finally, the Purple Heart medal her late husband, U.S. Army PFC. Jeremy J. Armstrong, should have received while he was still alive.
"I was so happy that Jeremy was finally being honored in this way,” Ashley said. "Jeremy was a wonderful man."
"And a wonderful son, and father,” added Jeremy's mom, Tammy Jones.
He was a hero to all of them, she said.
Tears, embraces, prayers and memories filled the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 889 in Coeur d'Alene during the posthumous Purple Heart ceremony Friday afternoon.
At least 50 active military, retirees, veterans and loved ones gathered to honor the memory of the fallen soldier, who served his country from 2008 to 2012.
Jeremy died March 22, 2017, as a result of brain injuries sustained while conducting route clearance operations in Afghanistan. He was struck on three separate occasions by improvised explosive devices. The third left him with a traumatic brain injury and resulted in his return to Fort Bragg, N.C., in 2010.
After intense medical treatment and ultimate discharge, Jeremy and his family returned to his hometown of Twin Peaks, Calif., in 2015. They made plans to move to North Idaho, but Jeremy, only 29, died before that plan would become a reality. His family followed through with the move and interred his remains in the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake.
"He loved the military," Tammy said, eyes wet and gleaming. "It meant so much to him. I wish he could have been here. I know in spirit he is, but I just really wish he could have been here."
Jeremy's Purple Heart ceremony in California was scheduled to happen in April of 2017. The presentation never occurred in the wake of his death.
Post 889 Sr. Vice Commander Ken Anderson said when Post 889 officials met Ashley and her family at the VFW fair booth last summer and realized this ceremony had not yet happened, they got right to work.
"The date the award was signed was 2012. It’s 2018. That should have been immediately awarded and it never got done," he said. "This family has been in limbo, and that’s not a good thing. For us, as far as VFW, it’s our pleasure to help provide closure. That's what we're here for."
