A bad heart stopped Harry “Bud” English from joining the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II.

“They told me any excitement could kill me, that I could never serve,” English recalled Friday.

Seated in a wheelchair Friday in the Thurmont AMVETS, English gazed down at the medal Maryland U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-8th) had pinned to his gray sport coat just moments before as family, friends and fellow veterans applauded. 

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