SFC Leroy Petry, recipient of the Medal of Honor, recently addressed the Pentagon’s National Prayer Breakfast on the topics of prayer, faith, and resiliency.

“Our freedom of religion and freedom of practice of that religion in the military is one of our greatest assets to our fighting force,” Sgt. 1st Class Leroy A. Petry told the audience…“We’re truly blessed to be in existence in the best nation in the world.”

For his part, Petry said he was raised Catholic but approached different denominations with “an open mind.”

He also cited the importance of a support structure for getting through life’s struggles, as well as the importance of faith in his own healing:

Petry said his faith has helped him deal with his injuries. “Leviticus 19:18 is one of the passages I like: ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people. Love your neighbor as yourself.’”