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On Monday, Sept. 27, Silverhill resident Ed Evans is set to leave on a week-long all-expense paid trip to represent Alabama on a multi-day tribute as one of the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees.

When Colonel Russ Vernon (Ret.), Executive Director of The National Purple Heart Honor Mission, called Marc Bokoff, owner of Bokoff Tours & Travel, Bokoff didn’t hesitate to offer his services. Vernon was looking for a travel professional to help get Purple Heart recipients from all 50 states to the organization’s annual program in New York at the end of September. Bokoff, an experienced travel professional with over 30 years of industry experience, is an affiliate of Cruise Planners and has offices in Lakewood Ranch, FL and Norwich, CT.

While serving in the Marines during the war in Vietnam, Jack Hanson received a military decoration no one ever asks for. Because of that medal, he'll fly to New York later this month to take part in an event anyone would be honored to attend.

A Purple Heart recipient from Greer has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. Staff Sergeant (SSG) Jason Livingston will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as South Carolina’s representative at a tribute to America’s combat wounded.

Livingston enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 2004 and served his nation for 10 years. In 2005 and 2006, Livingston served in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Later, in 2010 he served as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. It was during that deployment, while in Logar Province with the 1-91 Cavalry, 173rd Combat Airborne Brigade, when Livingston’s platoon came under enemy mortar fire. After clearing the area, while making his way back to other members of his platoon, another round of mortar fire struck close to Livingston, causing him to suffer shrapnel wounds that rendered him unconscious and resulted in his being medevaced out.

Ed Abbey will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as North Carolina’s representative at a multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded.

U.S. Army Sergeant (SGT) Lazaro “Airborne” Camarillo III will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Texas’ representative at a 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.

Mike Gawel loves his job as a financial aid facilitator at Fox Valley Technical College. "I get to help people understand the importance of an education," he says. "I'm constantly meeting new people, hearing their stories and helping them to that next chapter."

Hill was enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in December 1965 and served for the next four years, including service in Vietnam as part of Operation Union I and Operation Union II. Howe was wounded during Union I and then again on August 15, 1967. Following the second incident, he was medevacked to Da Nang where he spent a month at the Da Nang Naval Hospital and on the Hospital Ship Repose. Along with his Purple Heart with Gold Star, Sgt Hill was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal with two bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device and more. How also earned three Presidential Units Citations for his service in Vietnam as a member of the 5th Marines and the 1st Marine Division.