ABOUT US

APPRECIATION BANQUETS

Each banquet has its own special tributes and sense of honor; however, all dinners follow a similar agenda. A typical dinner includes:

  • Pre-Dinner Reception: This time of fellowship is reserved for the honorees to gather and take photos.
  • Walk of Honor: Each honoree is introduced while walking through a saber salute comprised of JROTC cadets. They are presented with a gift as their military branch, years of service, and their war era(s) served is announced.
  • Proclamation by the Mayor and Chair of the County Commissioners for each honoree.
  • Keynote speaker
  • Presentation of Colors by Color Guard
  • Music by local bands/groups/choirs
  • Great food!

The purpose of the Banquet is to honor those who have shed their blood for our Country. As a result, we do not ask them to speak – simply relax and enjoy being in the presence of their Purple Heart peers, family, friends, and the community-at-large.

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PURPLE HEART FOUNDATION OF NC MISSION

The mission of the Purple Heart Foundation of North Carolina is to unite communities in honoring Purple Heart recipients and their families, while fostering fellowship among combat-wounded veterans. We promote patriotism and encourage the sharing of veterans’ experiences so future generations may know of the sacrifices made by our heroes and their loved ones.

HISTORY

Founded in 2010, Purple Heart Foundation honored local men and women who fought in all U.S. military conflicts and were bestowed with the Purple Heart medal.

Purple Heart Foundation ultimately became the nonprofit known today as Purple Heart Foundation of North Carolina. Purple Heart Foundation of NC is an all-volunteer organization established to organize appreciation banquets throughout North Carolina. These dinners are held every year during the month of August as National Purple Heart Day takes place on August 7th.

As the success and popularity of these dinners grew, other cities in North Carolina wanted to participate. The most recent cities to begin hosting annual Purple Heart Dinners are Raleigh/Durham.

Historically, Purple Heart Dinners have honored Purple Heart recipients, Gold Star Mothers, and the families of those killed in action, missing in action or prisoners of war. After several recent Purple Heart Dinners, the board received feedback from Gold Star families across our state that there was interest in recognizing and honoring ALL immediate family members of our fallen heroes. With that, we organized the first statewide Gold Star Family event. It was held in Durham on August 27th, 2022. All Gold Star families received complimentary tickets and they were supported in person by our generous sponsors as well as the public. It was an incredibly successful dinner honoring almost 90 Gold Star families with over 700 people in attendance.

“CELEBRATING SERVICE – HONORING SACRIFICE”

“Check back in soon for updates on all of this year’s events!”

These impressive dinners are free for Purple Heart recipients and their families. We also honor and provide complimentary tickets to Gold Star Mothers and a direct family member of an individual killed in action.

However, all are encouraged to buy tickets as the dinners are open to the public! The Foundation wishes to encourage the public to get involved and attend in a show of appreciation by enjoying dinner, a speaker, and fellowship in meeting our local heroes.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • GEORGE AUX

    Purple Heart recipient (US Army Col. – retired)

  • NEIL ELLIS

    Attorney​

  • MALCOLM HARRIS

    Attorney​

  • ROBIN JOHNSON

    Exec. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals

  • RYAN NEMITZ

    CPA

  • MIKE MABE

    Purple Heart Recipient

  • CARA COLEMAN

    Board Secretary

  • LENNY LAZZARA

    Former Region IV – MOPH Commander
    (7 states and Puerto Rico)

  • ANDREA TEBBE

    Board Vice Chair, Sandhills PH Dinner

  • DURWOOD LASSITER

    Executive with Joseph C. Woodard Printing Company

  • BRENDA CARTER

    Vice Chair – Goldsboro/Wayne Purple Heart Dinner

  • CHRIS PEARCE

    Vice Chair – Sandhills Purple Heart Dinner

  • WILLIAM EBERSBACH

    MOPH Department of NC State Commander

  • BILL GRAHAM

    Chair – Goldsboro Purple Heart Foundation, (US Navy Seabee Veteran)

  • MICHAEL JOHNSON

    Board Chair, Army Veteran, Business Owner

  • ED MCMAHON

    Sheriff, New Hanover County

  • JESSE TORRES

    State Office – Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH)

  • FRANCES FIGUEROA-LOWE

    Region IV – MOPH Commander
    (7 states and Puerto Rico)

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