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U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Edward “Ed” Evans (retired) of Silverhill, a Korean War veteran, will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Alabama’s representative at a multi-day tribute to honor the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded.

Jack Hanson joined the U.S. Navy Reserves in 1965, during his senior year of high school. After graduating in 1966, he enlisted in the Marine Corps where he served on active duty for six years. Deployed to Vietnam in November 1967, then-PFC Hanson was awarded the Purple Heart as a results of fragment wounds he suffered from exploding shrapnel and mortar shells during a clash on January 8, 1968, near Thau Thien, South Vietnam.

U.S. Army Colonel Washington Sanchez (Ret.) of Tallahassee, a Vietnam War veteran, was chosen by the Purple Heart Honor Mission on Thursday to represent fellow Purple Heart heroes as Florida’s representative at a multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded.

Retired Army Col. Washington Sanchez will be the state’s representative at the multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded, a press release from the National Purple Heart Honor Mission says.

In November 1965, then-Lieutenant Sanchez was wounded while serving as a Forward Observer with an Airmobile Company of the 1st Cavalry Division. Pinned down by the enemy he was shot twice but continued performing his mission coordinating helicopter, fixed wing, and artillery strikes against North Vietnamese forces.

An Orange County hotel operator and long-time supporter of veterans causes has stepped up with a major donation to help pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of heroes who will be recognized as part of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission’s 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project.

U.S. Army Specialist Edward Gerasimowicz, of Mercerville, who served in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart, will take part in a multi-day honor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, historic Washington’s Headquarters and the newly renovated National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, according to organizers.

Calvin Chambers enlisted in the Army in August 1969. While deployed to Vietnam, SPC Chambers was stationed at FSB Buttons and spent time in Cambodia. On May 25, 1970, Chambers unit had just been resupplied and the platoon was directed to take the perimeter around the top of the hill. Chambers was walking right point (lead) when the platoon walked into an ambush halfway up the hill. The ensuing firefight took the lives of Chambers’ squad leader and left point man, and left Chambers wounded.

U.S. Army Capt. Leonard Crosby of Post Falls, a Vietnam War veteran, will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Idaho’s representative at a multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded.

Mr. Tanaka was drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1950 and was assigned to the 24th Division, 19th Regiment. In October 1951, PFC Tanaka was wounded-in-action by a North Korean mortar in Kumsong, North Korea. Along with his Purple Heart, PFC Tanaka was awarded the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, and the United Nations Service medal.

A man from Mercerville will represent New Jersey's Purple Heart veterans at the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Mission.

Martin Milano, the owner of the Hampton Inn Hotel Woodbury and the Hampton Inn & Suites Newburgh, has pledged the necessary hotel rooms for visiting Purple Heart recipients and their guests from across America. The donation is valued at nearly $50,000.

On September 6, 1969, SPC Gerasimowicz had finished patrolling with his dog and was in camp when the warning sirens sounded and “Rockets in the air” blared out. As he was running for a bunker, a devastating explosion hit the base, launching Gerasimowicz into the air. When he recovered, he grabbed the unconscious soldier next to him and moved on to the bunker.

Leonard Crosby was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1964, serving until 1970. During the Vietnam War, Crosby served two tours of duty, the first as a Platoon Leader with the 4th Infantry Division and the second as a Company Commander with the 101st Airborne Division. His service included action during Operation MacArthur, the Tet Offensive, Operation Nevada Eagle, and more. In April 1968, then-1Lt Crosby was wounded by shrapnel from an enemy mortar round. Later, Crosby would be shot in the neck by an enemy sniper. Along with his Purple Heart, CPT Crosby received numerous awards and commendations, including a Silver Star, two Bronze Star Medals, the Soldier’s Medal and more.

A twenty-three-year veteran of U.S. Army, Zerger enlisted in November 1965 and served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. In April 1971, while stationed in the A Shau Valley, Zerger was wounded during an enemy ambush. In addition to his Purple Heart, SFC Zerger received numerous commendations and awards, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and more.

HARWINTON – More than five decades after serving in Vietnam, Retired Army Staff Sgt. Robert Sodergren said he feels like he is being welcomed home.

Army Staff Sgt. Robert Sodergren, a Harwinton local, was named the Purple Heart Patriot Project’s Connecticut representative and is being honored by the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor at West Point.