Patriots,
We are proud to inform you that MOPH has partnered with the Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS), to sponsor the Purple Heart Run during the month of May 2016. The Purple Heart Run features a mobility-equipped, 2015 Ford F-150 Super Cab truck, adapted to suit combat-wounded veterans who are paralyzed or have lost legs or arms. Our belief is that, given the right vehicle for mobility, a combat-wounded veteran will have the freedom to live a productive and quality life with his or her family.
Driven by LCpl Tyler Huffman, a combat wounded and paralyzed veteran of the war in Afghanistan, and Joe Tidwell, a combat wounded and disabled veteran of the Vietnam War, the Purple Heart Run Ford F-150 truck will make its way from coast-to-coast and back, rallying communities to thank our country's military veterans and support this great mission. The Purple Heart Run will begin in Mt. Vernon, VA, on May 2, traverse the nation to California and return to end in Washington DC on Memorial Day, May 30, 2016.
Along the way, the Purple Heart Truck will stop to visit with local MOPH Chapters and Purple Heart entities. At each stop they will deliver Combat Wounded Parking Signs, free of charge, to any interested entity as a way for them to honor and recognize these veterans. Already, the response to placing the signs has been tremendous. From coast to coast, the signs have been placed in the parking lots of businesses, restaurants, churches, schools and colleges, government buildings, medical facilities, and sports venues. Americans of all walks of life are invited and encouraged to show their support for our military families by visiting an event on the tour as a means of showing their support for our country's veterans and their families. We are very appreciative and pleased to see the enthusiasm shown by all the Chapters and Departments along the route the truck will take. Hopefully this event will generate some additional donations to the Order, raise awareness of our existence, encourage membership, and foster a strong show of support for Purple Heart recipients of all generations.
In a special ceremony at the conclusion of the Purple Heart Run, the keys to the truck will be presented to Purple Heart recipient Nicholas Thom of Broad Run, Virginia, who was chosen from a nation-wide search of eligible and deserving nominees. In Feb. 2010, Patriot Thom was wounded while his unit was clearing Afghan villages of Taliban fighters. Nick was blown up by a command detonated I.E.D., losing both his legs from above the knees, 3 fingers, and suffered severe soft tissue damage to his forearms.
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