Fallen Soldier's Family Receives Purple Heart On His Behalf

NEW PRAGUE, Minn. (WCCO) -- A Minnesota marine from New Prague received one of the military's highest honors on Tuesday.

Lance Cpl. Dale Means, 23, was killed one month ago today, when the vehicle he was riding in struck an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

On Tuesday, he was honored posthumously at New Prague High School.

Andrea Means remembers her husband as a man of few words, but someone whose actions spoke volumes -- especially when he decided to serve his country and enlist in the United States Marine Corps.

"His words to me were, he wanted to push himself further than what anything else would," she said.

And that he did.

Lance Cpl. Dale Means was a good soldier, but last month, Andrea lost her high school sweetheart, her husband, and her best friend.

During a ceremony on Tuesday night, Andrea, and Dale's mother, received Purple Hearts in his honor.

Andrea says the Marine Corps changed her husband for the better. She's hoping the support she's received from family friends, will do the exact same thing for her.

"Words could not explain just how grateful I am, and how above and beyond they have all gone," she said. "It has truly been a blessing in disguise.'