A Jasper County war veteran and Purple Heart recipient will be honored during the inaugural Purple Heart Patriot Project Mission #1, which consists of multiple events to honor Purple Heart recipients. Robert Suesakal isn’t originally from Iowa but he would tell you Iowa is his home through and through. Suesakal is originally from Oakland, Calif., but due to life’s circumstances, he found his way into the U.S. Army in December of 1982 as an infantrymen with the 82nd Airborne.
Read MoreSOUTH HADLEY — When Brian Willette’s armored vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in the heart of Afghanistan’s Laghman Province on Sept. 13, 2010, he didn’t know if he would make it out alive.
Read MoreOn August 7, 1782, General George Washington - then the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army - established the Purple Heart award, originally designated as the Badge of Military Merit.
The Purple Heart exists in its current form since 1932, and is awarded to service members "wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces".
Read MoreTORRINGTON — Former U.S. Army Major Dan Eddinger of Torrington understands the importance of honoring those who have fought, been wounded, or died for this nation.
That is why Eddinger will represent Connecticut at the inaugural Purple Heart Patriot Mission, which includes a first annual community rally on National Purple Heart Day.
Read MoreFifty-two years after returning from Vietnam, Bud Allen’s going to be welcomed home. Next Monday, the Beverly Hills Purple Heart recipient will represent Florida on the inaugural Purple Heart Patriot Mission. Allen, along with the other 49 Purple Heart recipients, will travel to New York to attend ceremonies, visit historic sites, and be honored for their service.
Read MoreAt that time, more recognition will come to yet another area veteran. Dennis Kulczyk, a North Tonawanda resident and Purple Heart recipient from service in Vietnam, has been selected to attend the inaugural Purple Heart Patriot Mission, a series of events honoring 50 Purple Heart recipients, representing each of the states.
Read MoreNEWBURGH – Purple Heart Patriot Project Mission 1, honoring America’s combat wounded veterans, sponsored by American Airlines and ShopRite Supermarkets and hosted by the National Purple Heart Honor Mission (formerly the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Inc.), will bring Purple Heart heroes from across our nation to the area in connection with National Purple Heart Day on Aug. 7.
Read MoreCOLORADO SPRINGS — A Vietnam veteran from Colorado Springs is taking a trip to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point next month to visit the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. Franklin "Skip" Ripley was burned while serving in Vietnam after enemy fire hit a fuel bladder and caused an explosion.
Read MoreTOWN OF WALLKILL – Two-time Purple Heart recipient Sgt. John Peck, who has been traveling across the country telling his story of inspiration in his book “Rebuilding Sergeant Peck: How I Put Body and Soul Back Together After Afghanistan,” visited the Hudson Valley, Wednesday evening, to talk with locals about his experiences overseas that left him a quadruple-amputee and his journey to receiving a cutting-edge organ transplant.
Read More
MIDDLETOWN – Marine Sgt. John Peck survived two improvised explosive devices while fighting the war on terror. The first explosion, in Iraq in 2007, left him with amnesia and a brain injury. The second, in Afghanistan three years later, led to his becoming a quadruple amputee.
Read MoreThe National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Inc. will host a book signing featuring Purple Heart recipient and United States Marine Corps Sgt. John Peck, author of Rebuilding Sergeant Peck: How I Put Body and Soul Back Together After
Read MoreIn commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Allied Forces invasion of Normandy, France, commonly referred to as D-Day, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc. will welcome New York State Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. Lt. Gov. Hochul will meet with Purple Heart recipients and other Hudson Valley-area veterans and salute their service to our great nation.
Read More
