PRESS RELEASE: Local Purple Heart Recipient Stephen Blair to be Honored with Trip to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, West Point
Anchorage Army Veteran Chosen to Represent Alaska’s Purple Heart Veterans as Part of the
2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project
(NEWBURGH, NY) – A local Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Army Sergeant Major Stephen Blair (Ret.) of Anchorage, a veteran of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Alaska’s representative at a multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of American’s combat wounded. The Purple Heart Patriot Project is a program of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. The all-expense-paid trip includes visits to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, historic Washington’s Headquarters, a special tour of the newly renovated National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and other tributes to service.
“Stephen and his fellow Patriot Project honorees are true American heroes,” said Richie Lay, a Purple Heart recipient and chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “America’s Purple Heart veterans have given so much to defend freedom and that sacrifice must always be remembered. We are privileged to be able to provide this unique salute to service for our Purple Heart heroes.”
“Our Purple Heart recipients are owed a tremendous debt of gratitude and this is our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation. For some, this will be like the homecoming they never had. We received hundreds of nominations from across the country and we look forward to honoring Stephen for his lifelong sacrifice and service to his community,” said Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.), executive director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
When asked what his service meant to him, Mr. Blair said, “Being a part of the Army was the greatest experience in my life. It was one of the only times that I really felt like I belonged.”
A thirty-five-year veteran of the U.S. Army, former SGM Blair enlisted in February 1982. In July 2012, while deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Blair was returning from a patrol in Zabul Province when the vehicle where he was the gunner was hit by a improvised explosive device (IED). As the vehicle rolled to the side of the road, insurgents started firing at the Americans, the blasts knocked Blair out and he woke up at the FOB and was airlifted for treatment to Kandahar.
In addition to his Purple Heart, Blair received numerous commendations and awards, including two Bronze Star Medals, Meritorious Service Medal and more.
Since ending his active duty career, SGM Blair has become an active member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Department of Alaska, where he serves as Senior Vice Commander. SGM Blair supports his fellow veterans through his work with other organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association, and the Purple Heart Riders Association, for which is the President of the Alaska Chapter.
SGM Blair was nominated for this special recognition by Dan Collins, the Commander of the Anchorage Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located just north of West Point, New York, at the site where General George Washington first awarded the Medal for Military Merit in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. The badge, shaped like a purple heart was the forerunner of today’s medal. In addition to the creation of the museum, supporters of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission were instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp now issued by the US Postal Service, and are leading the effort in Congress to pass the National Purple Heart Commemorative Coin Act.
Those wishing to learn more about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission or donate to support the Purple Heart Patriot Project should visit www.PurpleHeartMission.org.
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