Purple Hearts Reunited INC.

11/30/2025

Texas families of veterans reunited with their loved ones' long-lost military medals - Operation Purple Heart of Texas!

We are deeply grateful and honored to be back in the saddle — literally and figuratively — supporting the important work of Operation Purple Heart of Texas.

Our inaugural return was a tremendous success, and we look forward to continuing this mission to make a heartfelt impact across every corner of the state. This achievement was truly a team effort, and we are proud to have worked alongside so many dedicated patriots.

Thank you to the Texas Military Department and the The Texas Military Forces Museum— especially Michael W. Ritchie — for including us in this noble effort. Thank you to Frisco City Councilman John Keating for rallying local support and welcoming us to Frisco, and to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, USA and Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW for standing with these families. We also appreciate the Frisco Gun Club for hosting the event. This was a shining example of what we can accomplish as one family.

Most importantly, we honor Seaman 1st Class Marron Jerome Ward Jr. and Major Jestwin Edwin Lee for their service — and in Marron’s case, his ultimate sacrifice. These American patriots represent the very best of our country. Your medals are home; may you rest in peace.

Special thanks to our return sponsors, American Airlines and Omni Frisco Hotel at the Star — your continued support is invaluable.

Purple Hearts Reunited and Operation Purple Heart of Texas are reuniting the families of veterans with their long-lost military service medals.

11/02/2025

I was away a few weekends ago to watch my son’s AAU basketball tournament and, for the first time in years, had the rare chance to visit a few antique shops — something that has been difficult with the demands of work, coaching, and raising kids.

If you haven’t visited the Saratoga and Ballston Spa areas of New York, I highly encourage the trip. The region is rich in Adirondack and equestrian history, with the foothills of the Taconic Mountains and the Belmont Stakes horse track nearby.

On the outskirts of Ballston Spa sits a medium-sized shop called Stone Soup Antiques. With a variety of booths, I’d place the shop in the middle-to-upper range — many items were priced above my budget — but I never let that stop the hunt; there are often diamonds in the rough among the piles of rusty gold.

Militaria is common from vendor to vendor, and in one corner I found a particularly dense collection. As I rifled through a rack of military jackets and sports jerseys, a framed piece on the wall caught my eye.

I usually reserve my efforts for wayward Purple Hearts, but the glint of a pair of Vietnam-era dog tags, unit crest of the 8th Infantry Regiment, and the vivid blue of a Combat Infantryman Badge immediately captured me. As a fellow infantryman and the son of a Vietnam veteran that also served 66-67, that frame felt like it was calling my name. Makes me wonder if this man and my father ever crossed paths in the jungle.

My first instinct was to rescue it, but limited time and an odd hesitation held me back. I took a photo and moved on.

Over the next week, as Halloween approached, that frame haunted my thoughts and even my dreams. After years working on this project, I’ve come to believe we’re sometimes messengers for those veterans who have gone before us.

A quick search of the name stamped on the stainless tags revealed a connection to Chicago. I reached out to a Chicago police officer I’d met nearly a decade ago; she replied immediately and, to my surprise, knew the family — a small testament to the strength of the thin blue line.

I would be back in the area for another tournament the following weekend, and I admit I prayed a little that contact would be made. Late last night that prayer was answered: the family was ecstatic and wanted the items returned. Then fear set in — there was no guarantee the pieces were still available.

Did I just promise a family something I couldn’t deliver? It was a sleepless night. I couldn’t bear the wait for the shop to open, and the extra hour from the end of daylight saving time only made the morning feel longer. I arrived at the shop an hour early and waited in the parking lot.

When the owner appeared and put up the open flag, I took a deep breath and walked in. In the corner booth, I gently moved an American flag aside and there it was — the frame still hanging where I had seen it weeks before.

I wonder if no one else noticed it these past weeks or if the flag had been covering it like a protective shroud. Whatever the reason, the message and the prayers were answered. I’m thrilled to say the items are headed home.

Ballston Spa to Chicago is roughly a 900-mile journey, and the family doesn’t yet know how that trip was made. Over the years we’ve sometimes been able to trace an item’s path; other times it remains a mystery. I’d argue those mysteries are my favorite. For the past six years this frame passed from hand to hand and state to state — now it finally finds its way home.

Welcome home, James. We look forward to sharing your story.

11/23/2024

Being home for the holidays provided us with the perfect opportunity to explore some local antique shops, where we stumbled upon some true gems.

Among our finds was a well-worn Veterans ball cap, a remarkable piece that carries with it the pride of its previous owner. The cap, rich with character, tells a story through its stains, which still faintly hold the scents of oil, hair tonic, and the occasional splash of beer.

We feel truly honored to possess this piece of history. If you close your eyes and listen closely, you can almost hear the echoes of an old Veteran recounting tales of the 99th Division, standing resolute at Bastogne.

11/22/2024

**Long-Lost Medals of Korean War Hero Staff Sergeant Harry Henry Hake Return Home to Texas**

In a heartfelt ceremony in Frisco, Texas, the long-lost military medals of Korean War hero Staff Sergeant Harry Henry Hake were returned to his family. With the dedicated efforts of Purple Hearts Reunited and Frisco City Council Member and Army Veteran John Keating, the medals—including the Purple Heart, awarded for wounds received in combat—were presented to Hake's son and grandson.

Born in Kilgore, Texas, on December 12, 1931, Harry Hake was determined to serve his country from a young age. At just 15, he lied about his age to enlist in the United States Marine Corps in 1946. Although he was later discovered and discharged, his passion for service led him to join the United States Army on April 21, 1949.

During the Korean War, while serving with the 24th Infantry Division, Harry was seriously wounded by artillery fire on September 3, 1950. This injury earned him the esteemed Purple Heart Medal. After a courageous recovery, he was honorably discharged in June 1952.

Following his military service, Harry returned to Texas and found employment with Stemco, a parts manufacturer for commercial vehicles. He passed away on April 25, 2005, in Longview, Texas.

Today, his legacy lives on as his son, Gary Lynn Spicer, and grandson, Ryan Spicer—a local employee at Dr. Pepper—received the medals that symbolize Harry's bravery and sacrifice. This poignant moment serves as a powerful reminder of the tremendous contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans in defense of our great nation.

11/16/2024

An incredible story is emerging from West Virginia!

Private First Class Robert Lee Lawrence was born on February 26, 1927, in Charleston, West Virginia, the cherished only child of Bert Kirker Lawrence and Martha. He grew up in the Robertsburg area.

In 1943, Robert married, but tragically, he never had the chance to nurture his love or raise a family, leading to the premature end of his family legacy.

With a profound commitment to his country, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served with the esteemed 6th Marine Division. At just 18 years old, Robert made the ultimate sacrifice for his fellow Marines on April 23, 1945, during the fierce battle on the island of Okinawa.

In 1949, he was laid to rest with honor at the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

The discovery of Robert's medals is a poignant reminder of his bravery. While we may never uncover the journey that took his medals to those train tracks, we can imagine that they traveled across this great nation, only to return home to fulfill their true purpose.

Robert’s medals will be carefully framed, and a home of honor will be selected in his hometown in the near future. This will ensure that his legacy endures, serving as a local tribute to the greatest sacrifice one can make.

11/11/2024

Veterans Day All Call!

We need your HELP to identify the following Veteran and his daughter to return his Purple Heart! Please SHARE far and wide!!

Here is what we know. The Veteran was wounded in Iraq on 12 September 2007. He was assigned to Forward Operating Base Rusty (Rustamiyah) and his deployment expanded 2006-2007. He has a daughter JASMINE. The medal was sent to us from Ohio.

Below is the note written inside his case:

To Jasmine my Daughter,

You are the heart beat in my body and I LOVE you more than you'll ever know.

I give this Purple Heart to you for what I live and fight for, it's for YOU.

Daddy Loves You

06-07, Iraq, FOB Rusty, September 12, 2007.

Again, please SHARE and let's get this medal home to Jasmine!

Military Order of the Purple Heart, USA Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW American Legion

11/07/2024

Amazing story from New Jersey. Please welcome home again World War II hero, George Cerrito.

“The first time I saw Uncle George after he was wounded, he couldn’t walk, he couldn’t talk. But he could laugh, and his face lit up when he saw the family,” Manhardt recalled.

For Margarita Manhardt, her Uncle George Cerrito’s memory was all she thought she had left. But after more than three decades, a […]

10/12/2024

What an incredible tribute to an American 🇺🇸 hero!

When family has passed, we often seek to find honorable homes for wayward medals. These medals serve as educational reminders that freedom comes at a cost, one paid by the small-town heroes across our nation. Finding a new home for these medals not only preserves their legacy but transforms their hometown into a new forever family. It’s a beautiful way to ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten and that their stories continue to inspire generations to come.

09/21/2024

Some more great coverage of 1LT Proctor’s home of honor return.

“This is a moving ceremony today. This is a moving event. It really shows the people of Springfield have not forgotten, and will never forget, and as a veterans’ organization it’s our job to make sure people don’t forget, so to play a small part in it is a huge honor for me,” Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW National Sgt. Head at Arms Brian Willette.

A special thanks to City of Springfield, MA - Office of Communications and Mayor Domenic Sarno for being such a gracious host.

Military Order of the Purple Heart, USA

On Thursday, Springfield officials were brought together for a Purple Heart Return Ceremony at City Hall. For more Local News from WGGB: https://www.weste...

09/20/2024

Welcome home Operation Market Garden hero 1LT David Bruce Proctor!

Born on April 18, 1916, in Springfield, Massachusetts, David’s medals will now be permanently displayed in town hall, just under a mile from his family home.

In April 1942, he was accepted into the Air Cadet program, where he received pre-flight training at Maxwell Field in Alabama. He continued his primary training at Fletcher Field in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and Guenter Field in Alabama, ultimately completing advanced flight training at Blytheville, Arkansas, in March 1943.

As a pilot in the 53rd Squadron of the 61st Troop Carrier Group, David served as the aircraft commander of the Douglas C-47A Skytrain, S/N 42-92842. On September 19, 1944, during Operation Market Garden, his aircraft departed from England but soon encountered heavy flak, resulting in it being shot down over Holland while on a troop resupply mission.

David was last seen preparing to put on his parachute but was tragically unable to bail out. As the pilot, David remained behind the controls as long as he needed to save his men. This heroic act would cost him his life. He perished alongside his aircraft just north of Eindhoven.

His co-pilot, 2Lt Warren W. Ehlert, managed to bail out successfully but was later killed in action. The crew chief, TSG Clifford V. Meadows, radio operator SSG Walter E. Schryver, and drop master PFC Bruce L. Moore also managed to escape the aircraft safely. However, Meadows and Schryver were captured by the German Army. Schryver was held at Stalag Luft I in Barth, Germany, while Meadows was imprisoned at Stalag Luft IV near Tychowo, Poland.

David is laid to rest in the Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium, Plot B, Row 32, Grave 56.

Awesome working with our brothers and sisters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW on this return and ceremony.

Military Order of the Purple Heart, USA

Springfield City Hall is now the home of a Purple Heart, awarded to a man from the city killed in action exactly 80 years ago.

09/19/2024

We are eagerly anticipating our participation in this ceremony. It is profoundly moving to see the city of Springfield, Massachusetts honoring 1LT David B. Proctor's sacrifice, made 80 years ago during Operation Market Garden in Holland. This tribute ensures that his legacy and memory will continue to resonate within the historic chambers of city hall.

In these cases, a home of honor will display the documents as a tribute to the sacrifice of these service members who were awarded the Purple Heart.

08/24/2024

Amazing stories of service, heroism, and sacrifice. It’s an absolute honor to have the opportunity to bring those stories home!

Cerrito, who grew up in Hoboken, volunteered to join the US war effort, but while fighting in Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army in the Battle of Bastogne, his tank was hit, and a fellow soldier pulled him from the wreckage, she said.

“This is amazing,” she told The Post on Wednesday night, a day after Zachariah Fike of the non-profit Purple Heart Reunited came to her Edison Township home and returned the Purple Heart.

This heart found its way back home. A New Jersey woman whose uncle bravely fought in World War II got her late relative’s long-lost Purple Heart back after the award was spotted at a Texas flea market earlier this summer. Margarita Manhardt, 88, reunited with loved one George Arthur Cerrito’s mi...