Press Release: Fuquay-Varina Purple Heart Recipient Robert Senter Honored During National Tribute Event

Local Army WWII Veteran Represented the Nation’s Purple Heart Recipients During the 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project

(NEWBURGH, NY) – A local Purple Heart recipient was recently honored as one of the 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Army PFC Robert Senter represented his fellow Purple Heart heroes as the national at-large honoree at the 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 included 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 and other unique tributes.

“Robert and his fellow Patriot Project honorees represent the best of the best our country has to offer,” 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. These brave men and women are true American heroes. We were 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 was our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation. For some, it was the homecoming they never had. We received hundreds of nominations from across the country and we were pleased to honor Robert for his courage and service, both during combat operations and in the years since returning home,” said Col. Russ Vernon (NYARNG Ret.), the Executive Director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.

This year’s Patriot Project honorees included 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, PFC Senter said, “What we did during World War II was serve our country to keep us free. Younger generations entering the military should remember to do your duty and do the best you can, and you will do great things.”

Senter was drafted in to the Army in February 1943, serving until May 1945 with the 83rd Division. In August 1944, Senter was wounded-in-action during the Battle of Brittany (France). The following March, 1945, he was wounded again while fighting in Birgel, Germany. Along with his Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, PFC Senter was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Silver Star for gallantry, the Bronze Star, the French Legion of Honor and more.

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, a purple cloth cut in the shape of a heart, was the forerunner of today’s Purple Heart 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 the nation’s first official Purple Heart Commemorative Coin series, which was issued by the United States Mint in 2022.

Video from the “Welcome Home” rally can be found at https://fb.watch/nmuMZZMWx2/.

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.