El Paso County Sheriff’s deputy receives the Purple Heart 15 years after being injured during combat in Afghanistan
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - El Paso County Deputy Michael Ratai, a retired Staff Sergeant, received a Purple Heart during a ceremony at Centennial Hall in downtown Colorado Springs on Friday.
The award comes 15 years to the day after Ratai was wounded during combat while deployed in Afghanistan on Sept. 11, 2011.
Friends and family gathered at Centennial Hall to honor Ratai for his courage, sacrifice and military service.
Ratai expressed disbelief at finally receiving the Purple Heart after 15 years.
“It took so long. It's 15 years to the day this year. And it just blew my mind and I went on, I told my wife,” Ratai said.
Kelly Ratai, wife of Deputy Michael Ratai, recalled the moment her husband told her about receiving the honor.
“He couldn't speak. I thought someone had died,” Kelly Ratai said.
Ratai detailed the moment he was hit during combat in Afghanistan.
“We took fire from a different direction from an RPG blast. And that was when we were hit, and I was knocked unconscious,” Michael said.
Despite suffering brain lesions from the explosion, Michael chose to remain with his squadron through the conclusion of his deployment.
“I just wanted to be there with my battle buddies and just finish the mission. I wasn't going to be quitting. I wanted to make my family proud,” Michael said.
Kelly also reflected on the time her husband first joined the military, remembering that he had initially said he was only going to speak with a military representative, not enlist.
“In fact, he said he was just going to go talk to him," Kelly said.
Today, Michael continues his public service as a deputy working alongside the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
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