Blake Hall
When one American military veteran gave the dog tags of a fallen comrade to Prince Harry after walking 1,000 miles to Buckingham Palace, they shared a sincere, emotional embrace.
HEATHCLIFF O’MALLEY/DAILY TELEGR/PA WIRE
The story behind this photo is both tragic and inspiring. U.S. Marine Kirstie Ennis was injured when her Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed in Afghanistan in 2012. Ennis has undergone 38 surgeries since returning from the front lines, and she will soon have her left leg amputated.
Despite the blisters, aches and pains, Ennis joined four British veterans and another Marine to raise money and spread awareness for Walking With the Wounded, a nonprofit that helps injured veterans get back on their feet. For 72 days, Ennis and her team walked 1,000 miles through the United Kingdom. Along the way, Ennis distributed the dog tags of fallen soldiers to the people she met on her journey.
She saved the last dog tag for Prince Harry, who was waiting for her at Buckingham Palace at the end of her epic trek.
PEOPLE reported that Prince Harry tried to refuse the token. “No I can’t, I can’t accept this,” Harry said.
“Please, you know what this means to me, I want you to,” Ennis replied.
Walking 1,000 miles in 72 days was no easy feat, especially for a wounded warrior. Ennis’ injured left leg has a restricted range of motion, but she pushed forward anyway to achieve her goal.
“It was quite painful and there is nothing you can do to prepare for that, even when you are able-bodied, much less when you have debilitating injuries,” Ennis said. “It was quite the challenge. I have never felt so disabled in my life at times. But to say that we have done it now, it is a great feeling. We have pushed our limits. I have been here for three months and a huge part of me will be left here when I return home.”
Prince Harry recently visited an American military base in Virginia and the White House to promote the Invictus Games.