More than 60 Purple Heart recipients, a Medal of Honor recipient, and 15 Gold Star mothers from across the Triangle and state will be honored at a reception and dinner event on Saturday, August 28th.  Walter Joseph “Joe” Marm Jr., retired US Army colonel and recipient of the Medal of Honor, will also attend the event and participate in the Walk of Honor.

The Medal of Honor is the highest and most prestigious US military award for valor.  The Military Order of the Purple Heart is a combat decoration awarded to US armed forces personnel who are killed or wounded in action.  Gold Star Mothers and Families is a designation reserved for families of military members who have died in the line of duty.

This year’s dinner will feature a private reception for Purple Heart recipients hosted by Gold Star Mothers, followed by the Walk of Honor and dinner.  Monies raised by the Triangle Purple Heart Dinner ensure that all Purple Heart recipients and their families, as well as Gold Star families, attend the event free of charge. 

Jesse Torres, Purple Heart recipient and retired Marine, notes that Vietnam Veterans were not welcomed on their return home from war, despite the sacrifices they made for their country.  “We have an opportunity now to recognize those individuals who were wounded or died in any conflict,” he said.

The event will be held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Raleigh Durham Airport at RTP, 4700 Emperor Blvd., Durham, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2021.  The private reception for Purple Heart recipients hosted by Gold Star Mothers will begin at 4:00 pm; the Walk of Honor will begin at 5:00 pm; and the dinner will follow at 6:00 pm.  Members of the public are encouraged and welcome to attend. Tickets may be purchased online for $25 at trianglepurpleheartdinner.org.