City resident Elliott Storm, author of "These Scars are Sacred," has been given the Silver Star Families of America's Silver Star Service Banner. The banner, according to the organization, is for the sacrifice recipients "have made for freedom."

"Your country is hereby grateful," for that sacrifice, the award says.

Storm, who uses a pen name, is a United States Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War. He has travelled the country to share his book and the story of veterans fighting and triumphing over post traumatic stress disorder.

Storm's book can be purchased at: Borders Stores, at www.thesescarsaresacred.com and at amazon.com