LAGRANGE – It took 14 years, but a former LaGrange County resident has finally received his Purple Heart.

Cory Schreiber, who served in the United States Army in Afghanistan, was awarded the Purple Heart in a ceremony Monday afternoon at the LaGrange American Legion Post #215. Indiana Third District Congressman Jim Banks presented the award. Schreiber's family members were in attendance.

Banks says then Sergeant Schreiber served in Company A of the First Battalion of the 6tha Regiment of the United States Army. On September 10, 2006, Schreiber's vehicle was struck by an IED.

Schreiber received injuries to his lower back and tailbone. When he returned home Schreiber submitted the needed paperwork to receive his Purple Heart, but never heard anything about it.

Schreiber was encouraged to submit the paperwork again, which he did. Banks says he and his staff investigated Schreiber's claim and realized he did deserve the Purple Heart, and moved the request along.

Schreiber says he is just blown away that he has received this honor after so many years. Schreiber says after 14 years he didn't think it was going to happen. He submitted his paperwork and was starting to lose hope. But his mother-in-law encouraged him to try again and this time it went through.

Schreiber says he is attempting to help some of his colleagues that were also injured in that incident to get their Purple Hearts.