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A Gift from the Heart

The Purple Heart is given to members of the U.S. armed forces who have been injured on the battlefield. But Annie Hassee, 11, got a Purple Heart just for being a good pen pal.

Scott Montgomery, 36, gave his Purple Heart to Annie. Montgomery, who had been stationed in Iraq from September 2004 to September 2005, received his medal after being injured in a roadside explosion.

While recovering in an army hospital, Montgomery found an envelope addressed to "U.S.A. Soldier." Inside was a handmade card from Annie. She had drawn a red, white and blue cat on it. "I was impressed," he told TFK. "It was very sweet for someone to take the time to write. The least I could do was write back and say thank you."

The two have been pen pals and friends ever since. Annie, who attends Westwood Elementary School, in Greenwood, Indiana, even had her family send letters to Montgomery. "It was exciting to write back and forth and give him some encouragement," she says.

Annie never imagined that in return for her letters she would receive such a precious award. "The medal was really special to Scott," she says. "I couldn't believe that he would give it up for me."

In February, Annie and her family traveled to Montgomery's hometown, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to meet him. During a ceremony at the Alabama Theater, Montgomery gave Annie his medal.

"There were a lot of days when I was sad or homesick, and her letters would help," he says. "It's amazing how much one girl's simple gesture could impact my life. I wanted to show her how much I appreciated what she did for me."

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