Purple Heart Hall of Honor

Andy Komonchak, director of development, spoke to our club on May 16 about the Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor.  Andy has served on the Board of Directors since its inception in 2006 and was the leading force behind the General Petraeus event held at Anthony's Pier 9 on June 25, 2010.  He recently accepted the role of Director of Development for the Board and is spreading the word about this national institution that commemorates the extraordinary sacrifices of America's servicemen and servicewomen who were killed or wounded in combat. The mission of the Hall of Honor is to collect and preserve the stories of Purple Heart recipients from all branches of service and across generations to ensure that all recipients are represented.

Andy said that our veterans see the Hall of Honor as a 'safe place' for them to come and begin talking about their experiences while serving our country and protecting our freedom.

Middletown Rotary stepped up and was the first service club to make a donation to the Purple Heart Hall of Honor.  President-elect Christine Rolando presented Andy and Richie Lay, fellow board member and Purple Heart recipient, with a check for $500 for the campaign to expand the Hall of Honor.