Press Release: Amboy Bank Sponsors Local Purple Heart Recipient Walter Kaczmarek as He's Honored During National Tribute Event
Woodbridge Marine Corps Veteran Chosen to Represent New Jersey’s Purple Heart Recipients During the 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project
(NEWBURGH, NY) – A two-time Purple Heart recipient from Woodbridge has been selected to be one of the nation’s 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Walter Kaczmarek will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes from New Jersey 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 National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, 9/11 Memorial and other unique tributes.
The costs associated with Corporal Kaczmarek’s trip will be sponsored by Amboy Bank’s Foundation, headquartered in Old Bridge, New Jersey.
“Walter and his fellow Patriot Project honorees represent the best of the best,” said Richie Lay, a Purple Heart recipient and Chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “Walter served with distinction but then continued to serve his fellow veterans, his church and his community for decades. The stories of men like Walter and their commitment to this country deserved to be honored. We are privileged to be able to provide this unique salute to service for him and our other Purple Heart heroes.”
“Walter Kaczmarek and his fellow veterans are the living embodiment of courage and sacrifice. It is our privilege to be able to send him on this trip as a token of gratitude for his dedication to our country. We wish him a journey filled with cherished memories and well-deserved recognition, and we hope this experience serves as a reminder that his service will always be honored and remembered,” said Greg Scharpf, President and CEO of Amboy Bank.
“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 Walter for his courage and service, both during combat operations and in the years since returning home,” said Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.), the Executive Director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
This year’s Patriot Project honorees include men and women Purple Heart recipients from World War II, the Vietnam War, Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and other conflicts, representing all branches of the service and ranging from 37 to 100-years-old.
Asked what he would want others to know about his service Corporal Kaczmarek said, “The pride that comes with service to your country last forever. I knew as an American growing up that it was my responsibility to serve my country and I did so with great pride.”
Kaczmarek enlisted in U.S. Marine Corps in June 1967 and served for nearly two years as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, including a tour in Vietnam where he was awarded two Purple Hearts. Kaczmarek was first wounded in February 1968 when he was struck by fragments from a grenade. Just three months later, Kaczmarek was critically wounded by an 82mm mortar round. The blast hit him in the back left shoulder, smashing his shoulder blade and breaking three ribs.
Along with his two Purple Hearts, Corporal Kaczmarek was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Bronze Star with Valor, the National Defense Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 battle stars.
Married to his late wife, Eileen, for 38 years, Kaczmarek is a father of two and grandfather to five. Along with his service to his fellow veterans as a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, where he is the former Department of New Jersey State Commander, Kaczmarek has also been involved in the Woodbridge Gospel Church and Disabled American Veterans, where he is also a former State Commander for New Jersey.
Patriot Project honorees will visit the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New York’s Hudson Valley, spend time at Washington’s Headquarters where the forerunner of the Purple Heart was first awarded, be honored at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and see memorial sites in New York City. They will also record their combat experiences for curatorial and educational purposes.
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.
ABOUT AMBOY BANK
Founded in 1888, Amboy Bank, a full-service commercial bank with 23 offices in central New Jersey, prides itself on quality service and responsiveness. They have been voted “Best Bank in Central Jersey” for the past 25 years in a row. Learn more about Amboy Bank and the Amboy Foundation at www.AmboyBank.com.