Fallen Marine receives Purple Heart

PERDIDO, Ala. - On the same weekend President Barack Obama commented on the military's request to sent more troops to Afghanistan, a mother received the Purple Heart in honor of her son.

Lance Corporal Bruce Ferrell, 21, was killed in Afghanistan last month by an improvised explosive device, or IED.

"I don't think they should be over there. That's just a momma speaking, that doesn't want her child in harm's way," said Pam Ferrell.

The Purple Heart means a lot to Ferrell.

"When they handed me that Purple Heart, that really hit real hard that my son was gone and that was final thing of my son, of his service," said Ferrell.

The military sent back his belongings in a box. Ferrell looks over her son's uniform and other items he used. She tears up when she thinks about the possibility of more mothers having this same experience.

"I wish he could have been the last one, but I know it ain't," said Ferrell.

When it comes to sending more troops to Afghanistan, Ferrell is split.

"I know that my son wanted to go over there to help those people that are over there, and I support that. But I don't ever think we are going to be able to win this war," said Ferrell. "I wouldn't want anyone else to go through what I am having to go through."

Ferrell says she will support whatever decision the President makes, even if it causes more grief on the home-front.