At 7 p.m., Sept. 14, the Ortonville Community Historical Society will host a local US Army veteran, Ken

Maxwell, 82, a Linden resident, served in the Army during the Korean War as a medic and was injured in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill—flecks of shrapnel are still in his left leg. That shrapnel still works its way out from time to time, says Maxwell.

At the time of his injury, Maxwell was offered the Purple Heart for being injured during battle, but declined to take it because he was afraid it would worry his mother. Maxwell said at times a soldier may have just received a small scratch to the arm and would receive the honor, but the Army would mistakenly send the families the wrong letters, so he said he didn’t want to put his mother through that.

Recently, Maxwell’s family came together at the Masonic Lodge in Linden to give him the surprise he didn’t see coming – his Purple Heart.

War in Korea lasted from June 25, 1950 through July 27, 1953. The battle of Pork Chop Hill, April 16-18, 1953, involved Companies E, F, K and L, 31st Inf. Regt. And Companies A, E, F and G of the 17th Inf. Regt., 7th Infantry Division. By 6 p.m. on the 18th, the Chinese were driven from the hill. The 45-hour battle on Hill 255 claimed a heavy toll in U.S. lives and wounded.

The public is welcome and the presentation is free. Refreshments will be served after the program. Seating is limited, so come early. For further information contact Judy Miracle at 248-627-4656.