PRESS RELEASE: Local Purple Heart Recipient Washington Sanchez to be Honored with Trip to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, West Point

Tallahassee Army Veteran Chosen to Represent Florida’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 Colonel Washington Sanchez (Ret.) of Tallahassee, a Vietnam War veteran, will represent fellow Purple Heart heroes as Florida’s representative at a multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’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.

“Washington 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 have made enormous sacrifices for America 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 Colonel Sanchez for his lifelong sacrifice and service to his community,” said Colonel Russ Vernon (Ret.), Executive Director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.

When asked what his military service meant to him, Colonel Sanchez said, “It meant the world to me. It made my life worth living.” Indeed, Colonel Sanchez’s life has been one of continuous, dedicated patriotic service to the nation and a personal commitment to God. His path in life has been illuminated by history, tradition and personal experience gained from twenty-seven years of active service in the U.S. Army. 

Sanchez was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, through the ROTC program at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. At the time of his commissioning, he was the school’s only Distinguish Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduate and the recipient of a Regular Army Commission in April 1964. Nineteen months later, in November 1965, then-Lieutenant Sanchez was wounded while serving as a Forward Observer with an Airmobile Company of the 1st Cavalry Division. Pinned down by the enemy he was shot twice but continued performing his mission coordinating helicopter, fixed wing, and artillery strikes against North Vietnamese forces.

During a second tour in Vietnam, the field artillery battery he commanded was attacked, but, due to then-CPT Sanchez’s combat planning experience with the 1st Cavalry Division and his leadership, the unit successfully repelled the attack. That success was tarnished when the unit tragically suffered a friendly fire loss due to mistaken identity, an event that left a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) indelible mark upon Colonel Sanchez’s life.

During his military service Colonel Sanchez was stationed at bases throughout the U.S. and around the world including twice in Germany: first, as Commander of an Artillery Battalion; and, later as Commander of the Grafenwoehr Training Area, the largest training center in Western Europe.

After retirement, his continuing desire for service motivated him to volunteer at the Regional Office of the Florida Department of Banking and Finance, which lead to a position as Deputy District Administrator of Florida’s District Ten, Department of Children and Families. Thereafter he volunteered in the office of the Florida Veterans Foundation spearheading an annual Veteran’s Standdown whose purpose was to provide an array of services to homeless Veterans two of which were legal and medical/dental services.  One of his most important contributions has been as an ardent advocate of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments for combat wounds including PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Presently, Colonel Sanchez is President of Tallahassee Veterans Outreach, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which is deeply involved in the State’s veteran’s community. Previously, he served for three years as the chairman of the Florida Veterans Foundation, is a former State Commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Department of Florida, and Commander for the MOPH Tallahassee Chapter 758. Colonel Sanchez was nominated for the Patriot Project by former MOPH Department of Florida Department Commander Christopher Vedvick.

In addition to his Purple Heart, Colonel Sanchez’s personal awards, include Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters and “V” device, Meritorious Service Medals with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Medal. In 2016, he was inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame. In 2020 he was inducted into the Army ROTC Hall of Fame and selected as a Tallahassee Senior Citizen of the year. Colonel Sanchez is the 2020 Patriot of the Year for his Chapter, the Department of Florida, and Region IV of National MOPH.

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 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 U.S. 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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