BATAVIA, N.Y. — The City of Batavia honored Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia in a homecoming ceremony Tuesday afternoon.
Bellavia received the Medal of Honor for his bravery during an operation in Iraq in 2004 where he cleared a house of insurgents that had pinned down his platoon.
Bellavia is the first living service member from the Iraq war to get the Medal of Honor.
In between receiving the Key to the City, and being mobbed by well-wishers who thanked him for his service outside of Batavia City Hall, Bellavia gave an impassioned speech saluting veterans for their past service and current members of the military.
Bellavia then made a pitch for a new generation to follow in his and others footsteps.
"If you truly care about our nation's future and if you truly love and honor those noble enough to fight on your behalf, then teach your children the imperative of national service,” Bellavia told the crowd.
“When families consider higher education for their children and the mountain of debt they are about to incur why don’t you throw in a masters degree in human dynamics and global studies conferred at the University of Fort Benning Georgia? When you graduate from this course of study, you will leave your adolescence behind," Bellavia said. "Sadly, that is not the case at many institutions of higher learning where perpetual adolescence is nurtured and cherished."
Following the ceremony, Bellavia took time to pose for pictures, autograph copies of his book, and handed his Medal of Honor around for others to hold, particularly veterans.
Bellavia told 2 On Your Side that it was important to him, as he believes his medal belongs to everyone who honorably served the nation. Although, he did say the ribbon part of it is getting worn out, and might need to be replaced in the future.