Press Release: Two-Time Purple Heart Recipient Ian Freeman to be Honored During National Tribute Event

Boise Army Veteran Chosen as Idaho’s Representative for the 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project

(NEWBURGH, NY) – A local two-time Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (SFC) Ian Freeman will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Idaho’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-expense 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.

“Ian 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 Ian 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, SFC Freeman said, “I’m a third generation Army combat veteran, so I knew service to country was going to be part of my story from a young age. Being part of a team and doing the hard but necessary work was important to me. Joking the Army was also an opportunity to show my grandfather and my father that I could serve with honor.”  

Freeman first joined the Army Reserve in 1991, serving for eight years with Alpha Co, 321 Combat Engineer Battalion. After 9/11 he rejoined Alpha Co., when he heard they were being deployed. Freeman deployed to Iraq in September 2006 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In March 2007 he was wounded twice as a result of improvised explosive device (IED) blasts and was Medevacked out.

Along with his Purple Heart, SFC Freeman was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, and more.

Married to his wife, Karleen, Ian is the proud father of three. Since leaving the military, Ian Freeman has become a lobbyist for veterans issues, raising money to support his fellow service members. Today, Ian is the Idaho State Representative for the Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association. He also previously served for six years as the Finance Officer for the Chief Joseph Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH).  

The Purple Heart Patriot Project provides an all-expense 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 support the Purple Heart Patriot Project 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.