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

Oak Harbor Army Veteran Chosen to Represent Washington’s Purple Heart Recipients 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 Specialist (SPC) Jennifer Horn will represent her fellow Purple Heart heroes as Washington’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-expenses-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.

“Jennifer and her 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 Jennifer for her sacrifice and lifelong service to her community,” said Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.), executive director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.

Asked what service meant to her, SPC Horn said, “It was an absolute honor to serve my country. I am incredibly grateful for the experiences I had and the skills and values I picked up during service. The Army established a strong foundation of professionalism, among other valuable skills, that have shaped me as a person.”

Horn enlisted into the Army in 2002 an ultimately served for three years, including a tour in Mosul, Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On April 16, 2005, SPC Lee sustained a mortar injury while serving in Iraq. The blast left her with multiple shrapnel injuries, including to her eye, arm, leg, chest and neck. Along with her Purple Heart, SPC Horn was awarded numerous medals and commendations during her service, including the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal and more. Since her time in the service career, Horn has married, became a registered nurse and is the proud mother of two children.

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 Badge of 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.

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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