NEWBURGH – Purple Heart heroes from across the country were honored Thursday evening in Newburgh as part of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission’s 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project.
The multi-day tribute is to salute the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded and provides wounded warriers with an all-expenses paid trip that includes visits to histtoric sites in the City of New York, the US Military Academy at West Point, Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh and a tour of the National Purple Heartt Hall of Honor in New Windsor.
The predecessor to tthe Purple Heart medal was first awarded in the City of Newburgh by General George Washington.
“These amazing men and women are the very best of our nation and true American heroes,” said Richie Lay, a Purple Heart recipient and chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission Board of Directors. “Across generation and around the globe, this year’s Patriot Project honorees have defended freedom and liberty. Our nation’s Purple Heart veterans have given body and blood defending us, and that sacrifice must always be remembered. We are privileged to be able to provide this unique salute to service to our heroes.”
This year’s Patriot Project honorees include both men and women, all branches of the service and range in age from 37 to 100. Among this year’s distinguished honorees is U.S. Army veteran Robert Senter, who received two Purple Hearts while serving in European Theatre during World War II. Another honoree is, George Stavropoulos of Indiana, a Navy hospital corpsman attached to the 1st battalion 9th Marines in Vietnam in 1967. During heavy fighting Stavropoulos continued to provide medical care to other soldiers despite his own wounds. He was awarded a Silver Star for valor and his second, third and fourth Purple Hearts. Stavropoulos went on to serve as a policeman and private investigator.
