Press Release: Local Purple Heart Recipient Roger Ward III to be Honored During National Tribute Event

Prattville Native, Army Veteran Chosen as Alabama’s Representative for the 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project

(NEWBURGH, NY) – A local Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Army Sergeant Roger Ward III, a native of Prattville, will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Alabama’s representative at the multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded. The Purple Heart Patriot Project is a program of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.

Selected from among hundreds of nominees and deserving candidates for their courage and service, both in combat and in their communities, this annual all-expenses paid ‘Honor Flight’-style salute will bring together Purple Heart recipients from across conflicts and generations. The multi-day Patriot Project Mission will feature visits to historic sites, including the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; a private tour of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor; time at historic Washington’s Headquarters, where the Badge of Military Merit originated in 1782; and the 9/11 Memorial. Other special tribute events are also being planned.

“Roger and his fellow Patriot Project honorees represent the best of the best our country has to offer,” said Jeremy McVey, Chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “These honorees represent a true cross-section of America and the diversity of our combat wounded through the decades. They answered the nation’s call and then kept on serving. This is our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation, especially for our Vietnam veterans, the Patriot Project provides proper homecoming they never received.” 

“These Patriot Project missions recognize the sacrifices made by our Purple Heart recipients and honor those who never made it home. They provide an invaluable opportunity for these heroes to bond with other combat wounded to help with healing, understanding and of course, know that this nation will never forget their sacrifice,” said National Purple Heart Honor Mission Executive Director Colonel Russell O. Vernon (Ret). “We received hundreds of nominations from across the country, and we look forward to honoring Roger for his courage and service, both during combat operations and in the years since returning home.”

This year’s Patriot Project honorees include men and women from all branches of military service, who sacrificed for America and then went on to be leaders in their communities and professions. 

Asked what his service meant to him, SGT Ward said, “My military service is part of the legacy I will leave behind—time spent helping free people from the oppression of Saddam Hussein and his regime. Serving taught me that freedom is not just an American privilege — it is a universal human right. Because we were born under a free flag, we have both the ability and the responsibility to defend and extend that freedom to others. If we enjoy freedom yet are unwilling to protect it or sacrifice for those who don’t have it, then we fail to honor the very principles our nation stands for. Freedom only has meaning if we are willing to use it to help others be free.”

Ward enlisted in the U.S. Army in June 2001 and served for the next five years. As a member of the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, Ward was deployed to foreign combat zones during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. On April 5, 2003, during a mission in Karbala, Iraq, then PFC Ward’s M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle was struck by an RPG and small-arms fire and caught fire. PFC Ward exited through the rear ramp with the other dismounts, but the track commander and gunner were trapped in the turret. Under continued enemy fire, Ward and another member of his unit climbed onto the burning vehicle and pulled the others out. Ward sustained injuries from the blast and smoke inhalation, resulting in a TBI.

Along with his Purple Heart, SGT Ward was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and more.

Married to his wife, Dana, for 24 years, Ward is the proud father of two children. Since leaving the military, Roger Ward has become a business owner and volunteers for Camp Valor Outdoors.

The Purple Heart Patriot Project provides an all-expenses paid trip to Purple Heart recipients from across the country to visit the museum dedicated as a tribute to their service and other historic sites connected with the Purple Heart. Located just north of West Point, New York, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is housed near the site where General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. The Badge, a purple cloth cut in the shape of a heart, was the forerunner of today’s Purple Heart medal. These powerful visits provide a unique opportunity for our Purple Heart veterans to connect with other recipients and experience the appreciation of a grateful nation committed to ensuring their courage and sacrifice is remembered for generations to come. Project Missions are supported by individual, foundation, and corporate donations.

In addition to creation of the museum, the National Purple Heart Honor Mission was instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp, and the organization behind the U.S. Mint’s official Purple Heart Commemorative Coin series, which was issued by the United States Mint in 2022. Today, the organization is developing the National Purple Heart Traveling Tribute and Education Center, which will tour the country bringing the stories of our heroes’ service and sacrifice to communities across the nation.

Those wishing to learn more about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission or donate to sponsor the trip for our Purple Heart heroes should visit www.PurpleHeartMission.org.

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HONOR MISSION

The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose strategic objective is to pay tribute to our nation’s combat wounded and killed in action through special outreach and educational programming. Through Purple Heart Patriot Project Missions, celebration of National Purple Heart Day and other public events and programs, we engage people of all ages by telling the stories of our nation’s heroes. Learn more and support their efforts at www.PurpleHeartMission.org.