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

Greer Army Veteran Chosen to Represent South Carolina’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. Staff Sergeant (SSG) Jason Livingston will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as South Carolina’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.

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

Livingston shared that, among his most important accomplishments both personally and professionally was, “Despite being wounded, I was able to bring all of my soldiers home.” He also encouraged younger Americans to remember that “each service member sacrifices so much for the rest of the country so that we may remain free, something we should never take for granted.”

Livingston enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 2004 and served his nation for 10 years. In 2005 and 2006, Livingston served in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Later, in 2010 he served as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. It was during that deployment, while in Logar Province with the 1-91 Cavalry, 173rd Combat Airborne Brigade, when Livingston’s platoon came under enemy mortar fire. After clearing the area, while making his way back to other members of his platoon, another round of mortar fire struck close to Livingston, causing him to suffer shrapnel wounds that rendered him unconscious and resulted in his being medevaced out.

Today, the married father of two continues to serve his fellow veterans as a volunteer supporting veterans causes.

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 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.

###

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.