Press Release: Local Purple Heart Recipient Denise Woodfin to be Honored During National Tribute Event
The Villages Navy Veteran Chosen as one of Florida’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. Navy Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Denise Woodfin will represent her fellow Purple Heart heroes as one of Florida’s representatives 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, scheduled for April 27 – May 1, 2026, 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.
“Denise and her 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 Denise for her 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 her service meant to her, LCDR Woodfin said, “After a decade of service, I applied for the Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP) and was accepted. Following graduation from Norfolk State University, I proudly became a Naval Supply Corps Officer (SUPPO). After many years I became the SUPPO of my very own ship. It had always been my dream and it came true when I received orders to the USS COLE in July 2000. I was and still am so very proud of the USS COLE (DDG-67) and her crew. They will forever be a huge part of who I am! My 22-years of service provided me an opportunity to see the world and meet incredible people that I still call very close friends today.”
Originally from Fremont, California, Woodfin enlisted in the Navy in 1983 and served for the next twenty-two years. As an officer on the U.S.S. Cole, LCDR Woodfin was in a space that was directly impacted when suicide bomb exploded from a small boat alongside the USS Cole as it was refueling at the port in Aden, Yemen. As a result of the attack, Woodfin suffered multiple injuries from head to toe and ultimately spent time in an Army hospital in Germany, before being sent to Portsmouth, VA.
Along with her Purple Heart, LCDR Woodfin was awarded numerous medals and commendations during her service, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, three Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, four Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals and more. Now retired, Woodfin enjoys playing golf, gardening and traveling.
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.