Marine hopes to wear his Purple Heart as a way to honor the Fallen Five

USMC Sgt. DeMonte Cheeley's purple heart ribbon is seen among his decorations as he talks in the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway after receiving the purple heart in a ceremony Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Sgt. Cheeley was awarded the purple heart after he was wounded in the July 16 attack on the career center. — USMC Sgt. DeMonte Cheeley's purple heart ribbon is seen among his decorations as he talks in the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway after receiving the purple heart in a ceremony Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Sgt. Cheeley was awarded the purple heart after he was wounded in the July 16 attack on the career center. USMC Sgt. DeMonte Cheeley's purple heart ribbon is seen among his decorations as he talks in the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway after receiving the purple heart in a ceremony Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Sgt. Cheeley was awarded the purple heart after he was wounded in the July 16 attack on the career center.

By Shelly Bradbury January 27, 2016 3 min read

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Sgt. DeMonte Cheeley prepared a speech for the moment he received the Purple Heart on Tuesday, but when the time came, he was at a loss for words.

“I completely lost everything when I got up there,” he said afterward.

So he just said thanks as he accepted the Purple Heart award during a 9 a.m. ceremony at a downtown hotel. About 80 people attended, including military officials, family and friends.

“I was ready to go ahead and get everything over with,” he said.