Purple Heart Project
The Purple Heart Project recognizes, honors and celebrates those who have earned the Purple Heart through their brave and selfless acts of service. Hosted by “Chef Mark” Sierra, The Project held its fifth annual gala at The Kendall Inn Saturday, to honor nine Purple Heart recipients and one Gold Star Family.
“When I first started this thing, we had maybe 30, 40 people at Compadres (Hill Country Cocina, Sierra’s restaurant). Over the years, it has grown and look at us tonight,” Sierra said.
“Over 250 people are here to honor the nine recipients of our awards. I’m not trying to outdo anyone else. I’m just trying to honor the men and women who served our country and sacrificed personally,” Sierra said.
The evening opened with Friends In Harmony singing patriotic songs followed by Benito Olson, founder of Patriot Dog Training and author of “The Underdogs.” During the Iraq War, Olson sustained severe wounds during a raid where rigged explosives seriously wounded him and killed Navy explosive ordnance disposal technician First Class Luis A. Soto.
The incident had a profound impact on Olson’s life. After his medical retirement, he founded his training facility and wrote his book. As he interviewed Purple Heart veterans, he saw the spirit of the underdog in them.
“Life hands out challenges, and sometimes it feels like they come from a playbook designed to press us down,” Olson said. “I know that journey very well. From a small town in Minnesota to a robot-bringing tour in Iraq and Afghanistan, I didn’t come from a place set up for success.
“But something inside wouldn’t quit. That fire to get back up every time I got knocked down brought me here tonight,” he added.
After his stirring speech, it was time to honor the nine Purple Heart veterans who traveled from as far as McAllen to spend the evening surrounded by comrades, exchange literal war stories and receive specially made belt buckles.
The recipients were: SFC Matthew S. Chupp, the first Purple Heart Project female recipient MSG Tracey B. Greene, SSG Bernard Teich, SFC Benito Contreras, SGT Omar Avila, SGT David Guzman, MSG Gonzalo Melendez, CPL Sebastian Gallegos and CW4 Gregory Coker.
Sierra made special mention of Sgt. David Guzman, now a sheriff in the Rio Grande Valley who has dedicated much of his time to the state of Texas. In December, the entire La Joya School District in the Rio Grande Valley will put up Purple Heart flags at its stadium and campuses.
Sierra concluded the evening with a final award.
“The Gold Star community is one we honor every year on the 29th of September,” he said. “On that day, Gold Star families come together to share stories about their loved ones, and it’s both powerful and healing.”
Those gathered Saturday paid their respects to the family of Sgt. Clinton Kane Ruiz, 22, who died Oct. 25, 2012, of wounds received during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.
Ruiz was a graduate of Murrieta Valley High School of Murrieta Valley, California, in 2008. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 2009 as a psychological operations specialist.
As the night drew to a close, the air filled with laughter, shared stories, and heartfelt thanks. The Purple Heart Project dinner was more than just an event; it was a testament to the enduring spirit of sacrifice, a celebration of those who served and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can prevail.
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