SALUTING OUR PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS FROM ACROSS AMERICA

By Taylor

We celebrated and stood for our flag and those who sacrificed all for America and Americans and brought Purple Heart heroes from across America, who were greeted with a star-spangled welcome home at a public rally at the Newburgh Armory for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission’s 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project. Sergeant Major MaryKay Messenger and the Newburgh Free Academy Band performed a number of patriotic songs bringing people to their feet in loud cheers and applause. U..S. Army General David Perkins, Former Commander of the First Unit to Enter Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom delivered the Keynote Address Gen. Perkins was the Commander of the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division during the invasion of Iraq – commonly known as “Thunder Run.” Originally from New Hampshire, and a 1980 graduate of the United States Military Academy, General Perkins served multiple tours in Europe and the Middle East.  He commanded units in a series of Joint and Multinational operations including UN missions. He was decorated numerous times for his service including the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest award for valor in combat, and the Army Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, the Army’s second highest award for valor. A multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded, the Purple Heart Patriot Project provides wounded-warriors with an all-expenses-paid trip includes visits to historic sites in the City of New York, 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 tributes to service. “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.”  Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.), Executive Director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission shared, “For generations, Americans have answered the call of our nation and made enormous sacrifices for our country and its people. This is an opportunity for the Hudson Valley and all Americans to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation to those men and women who bear the scars of war. For some, especially our Vietnam veterans, this will be the homecoming they never had.” 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 was 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. U.S. Army PFC Robert Senter  – World War II (x2 Purple Hearts) Robert Senter enlisted in the Army in February 1948, serving until May 1945 with the 83rdDivision. One of the Greatest Generation, 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. For more information about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission or to donate to support the Purple Heart Patriot Project please visit www.PurpleHeartMission.org.