Military Order of the Purple Heart Hosts Press Conference to Launch Operation Denali

The National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Jeff Roy, will hold a press conference at 10:00 am on May 30, 2009 at Mt View VFW Post 10252 located at 3105 Mt View Drive, Anchorage. The purpose is to launch an extraordinary expedition by America’s heroes to successfully summit 20,320 ft. Mt. Denali, the highest peak in North America, after more than a year of intensive preparations. Commander Roy will introduce the members of this team of wounded warriors who symbolize the strength of our Nation and those who defend it.

This event coincides with the Annual Alaska State Convention of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The entire team will be present at the Press Conference and available for questions, including Lieutenant Colonel Marc Hoffmeister, team leader and an active duty Army officer, who lost significant use of his left arm and hand by a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Iraq in 2007; Matt Nyman, who lost his right leg in a helicopter crash in Iraq in 2005; David Shebib, who almost died from multiple injuries caused by an IED detonated against his dismounted patrol in Iraq in 2006; and, Jon Kuniholm, who lost his right arm as a result of wounds received in Iraq in 2005. Also climbing with the team will be Gayle Hoffmeister, a team mentor and wife of the team leader, and Bob Haines, also a team mentor and a retired US Army Infantry NCO who is currently a Fountain, CO Fire Fighter.

The team will be departing Anchorage on June 1 for the Denali Base Camp, where they will begin their ascent which is expected to take 3 weeks to complete. The Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, primary sponsor of Operation Denali, is also providing the team with a satellite telephone for interviews and communications during the climb.

Any Corporations or Individuals interested in helping to sponsor this remarkable event are invited to visit http://www.theveteranscoalition.org/operation_denali/. All donations/grants are fully tax deductible and processed by the Veterans Fund of the United States, a non-profit veterans service organization with an IRS determination of 501 (c) (3) and ID #23-287794. Any funds not used to finance the climb will be contributed to the Wounded Warrior Project, Paradox Sports, or the Veterans Coalition to enable their continued support of Warriors in need. Donations or grants may be directed to the below address:

The Veterans Fund of the United States (or VFUS)

805 So. Township Boulevard

Pittston, PA 18640-3327

570-603-9740

Further details available online at: http://www.theveteranscoalition.org/operation_denali/

The Military Order of the Purple Service Foundation, the primary sponsor of Operation Denali, raises funds for service, welfare, and rehabilitation work in connection with the members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. (a congressionally chartered veterans organization), those who are eligible for membership therein, or any wounded, disabled and/or handicapped veteran, his widow, orphan or survivors.

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:

LTC Marc Hoffmeister, Team Leader, (907) 350-8222

Web: http://www.theveteranscoalition.org/operation_denali/.

Ms. Tempie Thompson, MOPH Service Foundation, (703) 635-3531

Web: http://www.purpleheartfoundation.org/

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

Email: PublicRelations@Purpleheart.org

Web: http://www.purpleheart.org/