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Alex Cabrero Reporting A Utah National Guard soldier received a combat duty award tonight, and it's the second time he's earned it.
A bronze star is not something every soldier receives. A soldier receiving it twice is even rarer, but that's exactly what Sandy's Ethan Skarstedt did, for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For many of us, images of war just don't seem real, it's more like a real-life video game far from here. But for Staff Sergeant Ethan Skarstedt, it's not a game at all, he's been there twice.
Staff Sgt. Ethan Skarstedt: "The reason I joined the National Guard is I wanted to contribute to the national defense, among other things. And how better to do it?"
His first tour of duty took him to Iraq, where he earned a bronze star. When he came home, he volunteered for service in Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Ethan Skarstedt: "If you don't do it, who will?"
It's that attitude that tonight earned him his second bronze star.
Lt. Col. Andrew Wood: "Exceptional. Exceptional soldiers who gets bronze stars for meritorial service."
It's not surprising for his wife, Kristina.
Kristina Skarstedt: "It doesn't surprise me at all. He's a born soldier. It's what he loves. It's what he's really good at."
He says his best memory is seeing Iraqis vote for the first time.
Staff Sgt. Ethan Skarstedt: "It was awesome. It was obvious they thought it was a big deal. I mean, they've heard about voting, they know what it's supposed to do. And here they were, they were doing it."
More than that, it was his fellowship with his fellow soldiers, his buddies, some who are still fighting.
Staff Sgt. Ethan Skarstedt: "It's not over. It's still going."
