(05/26/08) CRESTWOOD ? A U.S. Marine got quite a surprise Monday when he received the Bronze Star during a Memorial Day ceremony at the American Legion Plaza in Crestwood.

Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone presented Lt. Col. Walter Powers with the medal, one of the highest awards in the U.S. military. The Iraq war veteran had no idea he would be the center of attention at the ceremony. However, Powers said the only reason he received the award was due to the hard work of those he served with.

?The only reason I have a Bronze Star is because of the people I served with and served with me. I wouldn?t have gotten anything productive done if it weren?t for the great people out there,? said Powers.

Powers served as an information officer in Iraq.