PRESS RELEASE: Local Purple Heart Recipient Lazaro "Airborne" Camarillo to be Honored with Trip to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, West Point
Corpus Christi Army Veteran Chosen to Represent Texas’ 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 Sergeant (SGT) Lazaro “Airborne” Camarillo III will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Texas’ 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.
“Lazaro 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 Airborne for his sacrifice and lifelong service to his community,” said Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.), executive director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
Asked what younger Americans should know about his service, SGT Camarillo said, “It took a long time for myself and other Vietnam veterans let others know who we are. Now we need to let them know who we are, where we come from and that we are proud to be Americans. It’s because of veterans we continue to have another tomorrow.”
Camarillo was drafted into the U.S. Army in March 1968 and served through February 1970. In July 1969, then-Corporal Camarillo was serving as part of the 101st Airborne Division in the A Shau Valley in Vietnam when he was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). The blast struck Camarillo under his throat, on the right side of his chest, and damaged both his ears and eyes. Along with his Purple Heart, SGT Camarillo was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster and “V” Device, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars and more.
After returning home, Camarillo started volunteering at the VA in 1979 and started helping other veterans get their claims processed in 1983 as a Volunteer Service Officer. He also continues to support programs that assist homeless veterans and works to ensure veterans are able to get to the local VA Clinic and Hospital to receive care and needed services. Camarillo is involved with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2397 John N. Timon Post, and the United Vietnam Veterans of Texas where he is a past President. Camarillo was recently elected the 2021-22 Texas Department Commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart (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 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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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.