Family of WWII vet finally receives medals

BEDFORD, Va. (AP) — The family of a Virginia infantryman killed in action during World War II has finally received the medals he earned.

Tollie Haynes of Rustburg spent the last three years trying to find out why his family never received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star earned by his brother, Alonzo, who was killed near Florence, Italy in 1944. With the help of U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and his staff, the family finally received the medals Friday during a ceremony at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford.

The News & Advance reports (http://bit.ly/XxGCHg ) that after the ceremony, Tollie Haynes laid a wreath for his brother at the memorial's Final Tribute Sculpture. Set in the wreath was a photo of Alonzo Haynes flanked by the insignia of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

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Information from: The News & Advance, http://www.newsadvance.com/