D-Day Tribute to Our Heroes

D-Day Tribute to Our Heroes

Purple Heart Chapter 524 members

D-Day Tribute to Our Heroes

D-Day Purple Heart Veteran Frank Purpura from Jacksonville, guest of honor for the D-Day Tribute to Our Heroes event at The Salem Centre.

D-Day Tribute to Our Heroes

D-Day Purple Heart Veteran and Guest of Honor Frank Purpura speaks to guests at the D-Day Tribute to Our Heroes event.

D-Day Tribute to Our Heroes

Following the Heroes of D-Day presentation, police and community heroes were recognized. Pictured from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office are Assistant Chief Josh Benoit, Assistant Chief Chris King, We Can Be Heroes Foundation President Beth Heath, 2021 Police Officer of the Year Jean Kleber, Officer Hartt and 2021 Corrections Officer of the Year Edwin Rivera

D-Day Tribute to Our Heroes

Al Ferraro, Jacksonville City Council member, District 2 (right), presents Frank Purpura, D-Day Purple Heart veteran and guest of honor, with Jacksonville City Council’s Certificate of Commendation for his service to veterans and the community.

D-Day Tribute to Our Heroes

Beth Heath, We Can Be Heroes Foundation president (left), and C.S. Bennett, We Can Be Heroes Foundation national spokesman (right) recognize Maryland’s Volunteer Extraordinaire, Barbara Montgomery for 54 years of volunteer work in establishing and serving the Waldorf Little League and volunteering with a senior center, doing public library book sales, fundraising for a rural carriers charity and serving as judge for an Election Precinct

D-Day Tribute to Our Heroes

Beth Heath, We Can Be Heroes Foundation president (right) recognizes Jodi Tipton (seated), from Jacksonville, for her decades of volunteering for those in need, youth and seniors, and delivering flowers to shut-ins, lonely residents and schools, accompanied by Lori Crunden (left). Tipton was instrumental in creating the Jacksonville Beaches Sunshine Park with her late husband, Bob

D-Day Tribute to Our Heroes

Beth Heath, We Can Be Heroes Foundation president (right) recognizes Carolyn Bennett (left), from Interlachen, as a visionary leader and volunteer for decades in 20 community service and government organizations for the youth, elderly and those in physical or spiritual need

D-Day Tribute to Our Heroes

Takima Porter-Roach accepts recognition by Beth Heath, We Can Be Heroes Foundation president, of her husband, the late Jacksonville Navy Chief Petty Officer Clarence Roach as a role model, community volunteer and mentor