NEWBURGH – Dozens of Purple Heart heroes have been chosen to represent their states as honorees for the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project, the National Purple Heart Honor Mission based in Newburgh, announced this Veteran’s Day.
This ‘Honor Flight’ style, salute to service will bring together Purple Heart heroes from virtually every conflict of the last century to honor their courage and sacrifice.
The multi-day Patriot Project Mission will feature visits to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, historic Washington’s Headquarters where the Badge of Military Merit originated in 1782, and a private tour of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor – the museum dedicated to paying tribute to our nation’s combat wounded. Other special tribute events are also being planned.
“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 the homecoming they never had. Bringing these distinguished veterans to the Hall of Honor, which serves as a testament to all they gave, couldn’t be a more fitting tribute,” said Purple Heart recipient Richard Lay, chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
“Our 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees embody the depth and diversity of America’s combat wounded through the decades,” said National Purple Heart Honor Mission Executive Director, Russell Vernon, Col. (USA Ret). “We received hundreds of nominations from across the country and this group is truly representative of Purple Heart recipients who served our nation and continue to serve their communities. They’ve saved the world from the darkness of Nazism, communism, fascism and terrorism and this is an opportunity to connect with their fellow Purple Heart recipients and share stories only they can fully appreciate.”
Among this year’s distinguished honorees is Andrew Spores of Illinois, a World War II veteran and son of two Greek immigrants, who was drafted at 18. Spores fought in the battles of Naples and Monte Casino where he was injured with shrapnel, received treatment, and was sent back to the front lines. Spores is still plagued by injuries he received on the beaches of Anzio and the battle of Rome.
Another 2021 honoree, Steven Zerger of Colorado, is a retired Army Sergeant First Class who was grievously wounded-in-action during his fourth combat tour in Vietnam while leading his platoon into a desperate firefight. Zerger went on to serve his country for nearly two decades and continues to mentor new Purple Heart recipients as a leader in the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH).
Louisiana’s Patriot Project honoree, Spec. Albert Lirette, earned four Purple Hearts while serving in Vietnam. Washington Sanchez, Florida’s honoree, is the MOPH’s Patriot of the Year for the state of Florida. He served 27 years as an Army officer, including combat in Vietnam where he received his Purple Heart as a Forward Observer.
The 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project Honorees include:
Edward Evans, Alabama – Korean War
Stephen Blair, Alaska – Operation Enduring Freedom
Calvin Chambers, Arkansas – Vietnam War
Salvador Carrillo, California – Vietnam War
Steven Zerger, Colorado – Vietnam War
Robert Sodergren, Connecticut – Vietnam War
Joseph Hill, Delaware – Vietnam War
Washington Sanchez, Florida – Vietnam War
Randy Dollar, Georgia – Vietnam War
Tommy Tanaka, Hawaii – Korean War
Leonard Crosby, Idaho – Vietnam War
Andrew Spores, Illinois – World War II
John Huelsenbeck, Indiana – Vietnam War
Jack Hanson, Iowa – Vietnam War
Harrison Manyoma, Kentucky – Operation Iraqi Freedom
Albert Lirette, Louisiana – Vietnam War
Gary Lawyerson, Maine – Vietnam War
John Hurley, Massachusetts – Vietnam War
Shannon Matthews, Minnesota – Gulf War
Truitt Breazeale, Mississippi – Vietnam War
Troy Green, Missouri – Operation Enduring Freedom
Jess Williams, Montana
Dave Hugus, Nevada – Vietnam War
Edward Gerasimowicz, New Jersey – Vietnam War
Mark Donald, New Mexico – Operation Enduring Freedom
Oliver Hickok, New York – Vietnam War
Christopher Ghee, North Carolina – Operation Iraqi Freedom
Robert Olzweski, North Dakota – Vietnam War
Joseph Wesner, Ohio – Operation Enduring Freedom
Mitchel Reed, Oklahoma – Vietnam War
Lawrence Rupp, Oregon – Vietnam War
- Patrick Little, Pennsylvania – Vietnam War
Kenneth Allan Howe, Rhode Island – Vietnam War
Connie Johnson, South Dakota – Operation Iraqi Freedom
Robert Buswell, Tennessee – Vietnam War
Lazaro Camarillo, Texas – Vietnam War
Wendy Buckingham, Virginia – Operation Iraqi Freedom
Douglas Quick, West Virginia – Operation Iraqi Freedom
Mike Gawel, Wisconsin – Operation Enduring Freedom
Albert Walsh, Wyoming – Operation Iraqi Freedom
Video footage of the 2019 Patriot Project Mission and interviews with select honorees can be found at: http://bit.ly/PHHonorMissionVideos.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is operated by the New York-New Jersey Palisades Interstate Park Commission. The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)3 national charitable organization that provides a range of tribute programing to honor our Purple Heart heroes and preserve their legacy.
