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

Cameron Air Force Veteran Chosen to Represent Missouri’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. Air Force Technical Sergeant Troy Green of Cameron, a veteran of the Cold War, Persian Gulf War and Operation Enduring Freedom, will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Missouri’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.

“Troy 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 Troy 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, TSgt Green said, “It takes people to make the U.S. military successful. It’s about more than just one person. I was proud to be part of something bigger than me.”

TSgt. Green enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in May 1989 and served for 27 years, 15 of those years on active duty. In April 2012, while deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Green was stationed at FOB Finely-Shields when it came under attack from a vehicular-borne suicide bomb and small arms fire. During the attack, Green suffered a head injury. In addition to his Purple Heart, Green received numerous commendations and awards, including two Army Commendation Medals, the Army Combat Action Badge and more.

During his career, Green served as a Combat Arms Instructor, a Security Force Investigator, and a Missouri Army-National Guard MP. Outside of his service, Green manages a BMX racing team, known as Purple Heart Racing, and has he previously organized the “Ruck Between Rivers” walk across Missouri, which has raised about $20, 000 to support his local veterans’ home. Green and his wife, Audrey, have five children. Troy Green was nominated for this recognition by Madi Pickman, a U.S. Air Force medic and supporter of Green’s Purple Heart Racing team.   

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, the National Purple Heart Honor Mission was instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp now issued by the US Postal Service, and the organization was the driving force behind bipartisan legislation establishing the nation’s first official Purple Heart Commemorative Coin, which will be minted in 2022.

Learn more about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission and find a complete list of the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees at www.PurpleHeartMission.org.

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HONOR MISSION

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc., DBA the National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which supports a variety of programs to promote the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, pay tribute to our Purple Heart recipients, and educate all Americans about our combat-wounded veterans to ensure those who sacrificed for freedom are never forgotten. Learn more and support their efforts at www.PurpleHeartMission.org.