Military Order of the Purple Heart Salutes the Paralyzed Veterans of America on the Occasion of Their 2009 Awareness Week

MOPH Salutes the Paralyzed Veterans of America 2009 Awareness Week

The Military Order of the Purple Heart is pleased to recognize the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) on the occasion of their 2009 Awareness Week, taking place from 12-18 April, 2009. 

PVA Awareness Week was created in 1984 to better spread the word about the mission of PVA and how it serves the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much in the defense of our American freedom. This year, nearly 100 chapters, subchapters, and service offices across America will hold more than 250 Awareness Week events in their communities to dramatically raise awareness of the challenges facing paralyzed veterans and all Americans with disabilities.

MOPH National Commander Jeff Roy noted that “the Military Order of the Purple Heart recognizes the 63 years of serving Veterans by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, who has led the effort to raise awareness to the very special needs that paralysis presents.”

"In my home state of Colorado, some of our Purple Heart Veterans are active members of the Mountain States Chapter of PVA - winning Lifetime Achievement Awards."  Commander Roy's reference is to Purple Heart Veteran Wayne Field of Fountain, Colorado. Patriot Field, a WWII Purple Heart Veteran has participated in National Veterans Wheelchair Games and Master and Senior Olympics - winning over 225 medals.

"There is a saying - 'it takes a village to raise a child'” said Commander Roy.  “In that same spirit, I feel that it takes a nation - all of us - to handle the many very unique needs of our Veterans.  This was the reason that the Veterans Service Organizations were first created," continued Commander Roy.  "PVA addresses a unique area - their Wheelchair Sporting Events are recognized across the country and their publications and research provide an improved quality of life for all."

“I want to extend my personal congratulations to PVA on 63 years of serving the Veterans - we salute you on your 2009 Awareness Week" said Commander Roy.

Founded in 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of individuals with spinal cord injury and disease. PVA is a dynamic, broad-based organization with more than 20,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America's Military History. Most importantly, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance.  MOPH volunteers provide assistance to Hospitalized veterans at VA sites and State Veterans Homes

For information contact:

National Public Relations Director, John Bircher, 352-753-5535

Email: PublicRelations@Purpleheart.org

Web: www.purpleheart.org