PRESS RELEASE: Local Purple Heart Recipient Michael Gawel to be Honored with Trip to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, West Point
Oshkosh Army Veteran Chosen to Represent Wisconsin’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) Michael Gawel will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Wisconsin’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.
“Mike 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 Mike for his sacrifice and lifelong service to the community,” said Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.), executive director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
Asked what service meant to him SPC Gawel said, “It mean the world to me to wake up and have a purpose and a goal to achieve every day. It was a great way to grow as a person.”
Gawel enlisted into the Army in December 2005 and served seven years, including a tour in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom with the 810th Engineering Company. While doing route clearance escorting Polish forces, Gawel’s patrol had already found and disposed of several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) when it struck an IED along the road. The force of the explosion disabled the vehicle and injured many of those inside, including SPC Gawel. Polish air support ultimately provided Gawel and others with medivac assistance. Along with his Purple Heart, SPC Gawel was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Combat Action Badge, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and more. Since being honorably discharged, Gawel has become an advocate for fellow veterans, serving as the Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Chapter 162 and as a co-advisor for Student Veterans of America’s Chapter at Fox Valley Technical College. Married to his wife, Courtney, Gawel is a proud father of two.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located just north of West Point, New York, near the site where General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, forerunner of the Purple Heart, 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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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.