Press Release: Local Purple Heart Recipients Daniel Contois and Michael Webster to be Honored During National Tribute Event
Kittery Police Department Members Chosen as Maine’s Representatives for the 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project
(NEWBURGH, NY) – Two local Purple Heart recipients will be recognized during the 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project Mission. U.S. Marine Corps Corporal (Cpl) Daniel Contois and U.S. Army Specialist (SP4) Michael Webster will represent their fellow Purple Heart heroes as Maine’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-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; and the 9/11 Memorial. Other special tribute events are also being planned.
“Daniel, Michael and their 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 Daniel and Michael for their courage and service, both during combat operations and in the years since returning home.”
Contois and Webster were nominated for the special recognition by Kittery Police Department Lt. John Desjardins. 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, Cpl Contois said, “It was an honor to serve my country and serve with some of the best people on this planet. I saw what true selflessness and heroism means, from men who hadn’t even reached their twenty-first birthday, and many of them never did.” SP4 Webster echoed his sentiment, saying “Serving in the United States Army was one of the greatest honors of my life. It meant more to me than words can fully express. I’ve always loved the red, white, and blue — the symbol of freedom, sacrifice, and unity — and I carry that pride every day as an Army veteran. I answered the call to serve not for recognition or thanks, but because I believed in something greater than myself: the privilege of defending this nation and the values it stands for. I’d do it all again without hesitation. The appreciation people show means more than they know, but the true reward has always been the honor of having served.”
Contois enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2008 and served for the next five years. A member of the Combat Logistics Regiment 27, a unit within the U.S. Marine Corps' 2nd Marine Logistics Group (2nd MLG), Cpl Contois deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. While on patrol in the southern Helmand Province, Cpl Contois was serving as a gunner when the vehicle he was traveling struck an improvised explosive device (IED) while supporting a convoy.
Along with his Purple Heart, Cpl Contois was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Presidential Unit Citation – Navy (2), the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and more.
Webster enlisted in the Army in January 2003 and served for three-plus years. A member of the 1st Infantry Divion, he deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. SP4 Webster’s unit was securing a command station that had just been involved in an IED attack. While securing the scene, Webster and others were unknowingly on top of another IED. The resulting explosion left Webster and others injured.
Along with his Purple Heart, SP4 Webster was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and more.
Both Contois and Webster continue to serve their community and country as members of the Kittery Police Department.
Contois is a FBI-certified crisis negotiator with the Southern Maine Special Response Team, who was recently recognized for using his skills to help a suicidal woman receive hospital treatment after spotting her on the Piscataqua River Bridge. Outside of law enforcement, Daniel Contois is a passionate outdoorsman, spending much of his time on the water or in the woods with his loyal chocolate lab, Tully. Contois also works part-time as a lobster boat sternman and is well known for helping fellow veterans reconnect with nature through Operation Reboot Outdoors.
Webster began his law enforcement career with the Department of Defense Police at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where he dedicated six years to protecting those who serve. In 2018, he joined the Kittery Police Department. Beyond his uniform, Michael is deeply committed to honoring veterans and fallen heroes through his volunteer work with Wreaths Across America, where he helps escort the annual convoy from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery. A devoted husband and father, Michael Webster also loves being outdoors, hunting, fishing, or hitting the golf course with family and friends. He also has a passion for wildlife photography.
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.