Boca Raton: Purple Heart presented at Boca Raton Veterans Park

Laura Biedron News – Boca Raton

Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) recently presented a Purple Heart to Iraq War veteran Sergeant Troy Caicedo at Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post in Veterans Park, Boca Raton.

“This Purple Heart is a way for us to give you a small token of appreciation recognizing your sustained injury,” Congressman Klein said to Sergeant Caicedo

     29-year-old Caicedo has been stationed in Iraq on two occasions – first for 13 months and later for 8 months.

According to Caicedo, the injury took place May 4th, 2007, during his second deployment to Iraq. He recalled the mission into the city of Baquba to “detain a high value target, suspected of detonating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).”

Upon entering the city, Caicedo’s tank was hit, causing an explosion. Once he recovered consciousness his lieutenant denied the request to evacuate for medical attention and so the mission continued, Caicedo said. He added, “It wasn’t until the team cleared three two-story buildings and the target was detained that medical treatment was provided.”

Caicedo suffered from a mild to severe concussion and returned home for rest and recuperation (R&R) two weeks later.

Caicedo was honorably discharged two years ago. He explained that his medical records were “lost” during the transfer home – lacking the records Caicedo was denied twice of receiving a purple heart. He said eventually these records were recovered and two weeks ago was approved for this honorable recognition.

“This day makes up for the last two years,” said Caicedo.