PRESS RELEASE: Rockland County Marine Veteran Helps Salute America's Purple Heart Heroes
Marine Corps Veteran, Author, Businessman Makes Donation in Support of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission’s 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project
Vietnam War veteran Barry Fixler presents a $5,000 check in support of the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project to Tom Basile, senior advisor for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. (Photo courtesy of Scott Waters, Rockland Report)
(NEWBURGH, NY) – A Rockland County Vietnam War veteran, businessman and author of “Semper Cool,” Barry Fixler added his name to those paying tribute to the courage and sacrifice of more America’s Purple Heart heroes by becoming a sponsor of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission’s 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project.
Fixler, who served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968 as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, made the donation to support his fellow Marine Corps veterans who will be making the trip to the Hudson Valley.
“Our local veterans community knows Barry Fixler as a longtime supporter, and we are tremendously grateful to have his support of the 2021 Patriot Project,” said National Purple Heart Honor Mission Executive Director Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.) “These brave men and women personify what it means to be a hero. Now it is our chance to say ‘thank you’ to our Purple Heart heroes across every generation on behalf of a grateful nation. Barry’s generosity helps ensure, during these challenging times, that we can continue to bring these Purple Heart heroes together and pay tribute to their courage and sacrifice.”
Purple Heart Patriot Project missions bring Purple Heart recipients from across the nation to the Hudson Valley for a multi-day salute to service that features visits to historic Washington’s Headquarters where the Badge of Military Merit originated in 1782, a private tour of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor – the museum dedicated to paying tribute to our nation’s combat wounded, and other special events. Honorees for the 2021 event were announced on Veterans’ Day 2020. The event was recently rescheduled from April to September with an eye to public gathering restrictions related to the COVID pandemic.
This ‘Honor Flight’ style, salute to service will bring together Purple Heart heroes from WWII to the present day. Along with Fixler, this year’s event is also sponsored by Orange County hotel operator Martin Milano, who owns the Hampton Inn Woodbury-Harriman where honorees will stay, and LendingTree. Past Purple Heart recipients who have participated in the 2019 Patriot Project, sponsored in part by ShopRite Supermarkets, have been moved by the outpouring of gratitude from the public and the immediate sense of camaraderie they felt with their fellow honorees.
The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to paying tribute to our nation's combat wounded and those killed in action through outreach and educational programming. Those wishing to help pay tribute to these brave honorees can learn more about the organization and make a donation at www.PurpleHeartMission.org.
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HONOR MISSION
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.