Soldier gets recognition for service

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - On leave from Iraq he spent a day of vacation helping Hoosiers.

Master Sgt. Paul Wetnight was awarded the Indiana Commendation at Hulman Field Saturday afternoon. He was on vacation in Brown County with his wife when the inn they were staying at in August flooded with more than five feet of water.

But instead of packing up like the other guests, he helped the owner clean up the property.

"We weren't looking for any award or anything like that," said Wetnight. "We were just trying to be good neighbors. That's what it's all about, helping people, right?"

He was promoted to Master Sergeant in the same afternoon. Wetnight knew about that ceremony, but the award was a surprise.