Past Honorees

2017 Honorees

 

SPC Mario Keck

Keck was born in Oakland, California, and at the age of 24 enlisted in the United States Army. He served 8 years on active duty, during which he completed three combat deployments with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During the last deployment of 2013, Keck was the senior gunner for the PSD platoon and was tasked out to provide security and protection for high ranking officials. He was on a high profile mission, with numerous generals along with the RC south CSM on the ground, where he sustained gunshot injuries to his right leg. He is the recipient of several Army Achievement Medals including: Army Commendation Medals, the Purple Heart, a combat Infantrymen Badge and numerous other awards for valor. Keck is a volunteer firefighter with Stoney Point Fire Department and experienced in first responder and lifesaving methods. He is a registered armed and unarmed security officer with the NCPPSB and has completed Executive Protection training.

 

Sgt. Joshua Czerepka

Czerepka medically retired from the Marine Corps in 2015 as a Sergeant after serving 6 years and deploying twice overseas to Afghanistan. He joined the Marine Corps in 2009 out of Florida, where he has lived his whole life. He attended basic training at Parris Island and was assigned to his first duty station at 1st Combat Engineer Battalion in California, where he remained throughout his time in the service. His first deployment was to Musa Qalah, Afghanistan in 2010. Shortly after returning from his first deployment, he was promoted to squad leader, and was deployed again in 2012 to Kajaki, Afghanistan. Currently, Czerepka lives in Florida where he partakes in carpentry, college classes and staying active with his wife and three dogs.

 

Sgt. John Rice

Rice spent several years in the USMC as a Recon Scout. His career was ended prematurely in 2008 during a routine patrol in Iraq. Rice stepped on an anti-personnel mine which ripped through his lower body and caused catastrophic damage to both legs. Due to the quick response and expertise of the field medic, his legs were eligible for limb salvage. He spent well over a year in Walter Reed going through endless surgeries. Once he was stable enough to continue rehab on an outpatient basis, he and his wife, Cassie, moved to Raleigh in 2010. They started a family, and recently welcomed their second child into their family. Rice’s awards include the Purple Heart, Navy Achievement Medal and Combat Action Ribbon.

 

Sgt. Ian Sorsch

Ian served in the US Army for 8 years from September 2008 to July 2016 as an Infantry Mortarman (11C). During his service, he was deployed twice to Afghanistan. He currently struggles with PTSD, and a traumatic brain injury that occurred during an evacuation of a combat zone. He was awarded a battlefield promotion earlier than is customary to E5 during his first deployment. He earned an Army Accommodation Medal, 4 Army Achievement Medals, 2 Good Conduct Medals, a Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge, and the German Army Expert Marksmanship Badge. Ian is enthusiastic about serving others and giving back to veterans and his local community. Since he was medically retired from the Army, he has made himself available to other disabled veterans for support and council. He is working to successfully complete a college degree in order to improve his and his family’s lives.

 

2016 Honorees

Michael Voss, SSGT NC National Guard

Army Staff Sgt. Michael Voss was a decorated soldier and squad leader assigned to the 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment NC National Guard when he was killed in action October 8, 2004. His convoy vehicle encountered an IED and small-arms fire near Tikrit, Iraq. His death was the fifth at the time for the NC National Guard since 9/11 (2001). He was 35 years old and working for Caterpillar, leaving behind his wife and two daughters. Voss joined the Army in 1988 and transferred to the NC Army National Guard in 1997. During his military service in Panama in 1989, he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. He also took part in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991. He held three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals and the Combat Infantryman Badge. SSGT Voss’s daughters are now 15 and 16 years old. They are under guardianship of their grandparents Christine & Anthony Passero, and live in Vass, NC.

 

Jimmion Clayton, SGT US Army

Sergeant Clayton enlisted in the US Army in 2008 at 17 years of age. In October 2012 while serving in Khost City, Afghanistan, he was injured by a suicide bomber—receiving shrapnel to the chest, arm and shoulder resulting in several ongoing medical issues including PTSD—for which he continues to receive treatment at Womack Army Medical Hospital on Ft. Bragg and the Fayetteville Veteran Affairs Hospital. Recovering  from injuries has been a battle and hardship on his family. Among his military awards Sergeant Clayton has received a Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, National  Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Sergeant Clayton and his wife, Tempestt Spencer, reside  in Fayetteville, NC.

 

 

Jonathan Ben-Meir, SSGT U.S. Air Force

SSGT Ben-Meir joined the US Air Force in May 2004 and served for a total of 11.5 years that included three deployments to Kuwait and Iraq. As a Crew Chief, he was in charge of making sure the aircraft was ready for its mission, with the ability to troubleshoot and repair any mechanical and electrical malfunction. SSGT Ben-Meir also served as the Flying Crew Chief on several other overseas missions. During his final deployment to Iraq in support of Special Operations Forces, SSGT Ben-Meir sustained combat wounds from mortar fire while on a security patrol of the flight line. He was ejected from the top of an HMMWV and sustained a TBI and back injuries; which led to a medical discharge in Oct 2014. SSGT Ben-Meir is a full-time undergraduate student at Strayer University and is also seeking employment. He is a single father with full custody of his two sons, ages 4 and 7. The Ben- Meir family resides in Fayetteville, NC.

 

Jessie Fletcher, Corporal USMC

Jessie was sitting at home holding his grandmother’s hand on September 11th, 2001, when he decided to enlist into the United States Military. He started basic training 4 days after graduation in 2008 that led to many military schools and deployments. Jessie’s final deployment was in 2011 to Afghanistan’s violent Helmond district where an IED detonated under his feet. The resulting blast amputated both legs above the knees and several fingers. After spending a year recovering in a military hospital, Jessie returned home with his wife, Emily, to Winston-Salem, NC. Jessie and Emily plan on starting a company to help transitioning disabled veterans and loved ones find fulfilling career opportunities in the north state.

 

 

 

Joshua Cruce, Specialist, US Army

Born in Jacksonville NC from a long line of family serving in military, Joshua Cruce enlisted in the US Army soon after his 18th birthday in 2004. In 2007 he deployed from Ft. Campbell KY to Iraq for a 15-month tour in the area of Tikrit, Mosul and Kirkuk. The enemy was encountered and engaged nearly every day and in late 2008 his truck was hit by a very large IED—resulting in crushed vertebrae, spinal cord and lower back injuries, muscular nerve damage, a traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Joshua faced a long and tedious rehabilitation and was medically retired in 2013. While rehabilitating, Joshua attended school and volunteered with several veteran service organizations to help fellow veterans. He graduated from Eastern Carolina University with a Marketing degree in 2013 and plans to pursue his MBA. Joshua resides in Raleigh, NC with his wife, Josette.

 

 

2015 Honorees

PFC David McDowell, US Army

A West Virginia native, PFC McDowell enlisted in the US Army in 2007. A combat medic, it was during his 2nd tour in Afghanistan, on October 31, 2011, he suffered an IED blast resulting in severe injuries to lower left leg, knees, back as well as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. PFC McDowell received many military service honors and medals including Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge. While he continues to rehabilitate, uncovered medical bills and other expenses have continued to mount. PFC McDowell resides in Sanford, NC with his wife Adrian and three children ages 10, 7 and 4.

 

 

 

SPC Melverton Mclaren, US Army

A native of Jamaica, SPC Mclaren enlisted in the US Army after attending high school in New York. During his first deployment as a Construction Engineer for the US Army, he was severely injured as the result of an IED blast while doing route clearance in Afghanistan. Even with several leg brakes, a broken back and dislocated jaw – SPC Mclaren had to fight his way out of the vehicle evading contact from the enemy. He received the Purple Heart for combat wounds. Due to the injuries he received, plans for a military career were cut short – he will be medically discharged in 2015. While residing and continuing his rehabilitation at Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville NC, he attends Fayetteville State University and expects to graduate in 2016 with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting.

 

 

SGT Michael Beck, US Army National Guard

At the age of 17 Michael Beck enlisted in the NC Army National Guard. Injured by mortar round at Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah in Baghdad, Iraq, on April 6, 2008. The explosion resulted in serious injuries to both legs and his left eye. Michael also received multiple serious internal injuries. It also killed his sergeant, a man who was a surrogate father to Beck. Both were members of Rocky Mount-based 1132nd N.C. National Guard Military Police Company. He has a belowknee amputation on his left side and an aboveknee amputation on his right side. SGT Beck is married with 2 small children, and will soon receive a new, accessible home in Rocky Mount.

 

 

 

CPL Ryan Wightman, US Marines Corps

CPL Wightman enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2009 at 18 years of age. During a second combat tour in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, he was severely injured by an IED blast May 26, 2012, while helping a fallen Marine. Since June 1, 2012 he has undergone rehabilitation on injuries to his right arm, right leg and left foot and continues to reside at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. September 3, 2014, he had a delayed amputation of the left leg below the knee after a long effort to rehabilitate the crushed left foot. His many military honors include Combat Action Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Certificate of Commendation, and Purple Heart. CPL Wightman and his wife Melissa will move into a new home in Fuquay Varina NC in June, 2015.

 

 

SSGT Dale Beatty, US Army National Guard

Ret. SSGT Dale Beatty joined the NC Army National Guard in 1996. At age 26, he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2. It was November 15, 2004, on a route known to be compromised, his vehicle struck two anti-tank mines that left Beatty a double amputee below the knees. After a successful reintegration to his community in Statesville NC, Beatty partnered with his long time Army battle buddy, John Gallina – also severely injured in the same vehicle explosion – to form a nonprofit service connected disabled Veterans called Purple Heart Homes. phhusa.org. Beatty and Gallina have been profiled on CNN Heroes and Time Magazine, and have been recognized by numerous organizations for their tremendous work and unparalleled ethic to give back. Beatty resides in Statesville, NC, with his wife Belinda and their three children Dustin, Lucas and Sophia.

 

 

2014 Honorees

SSG Carlton Duncan, US Army

In May 2007, whiIe serving in Iraq as a gunner, SSG Duncan’s team was ambushed and their vehicle hit by an IED. He sustained a traumatic brain injury, along with injuries to his neck, shoulder and back. He also developed post-traumatic stress disorder. An accomplished competitor in US Olympic Center Warrior Games, SSG Duncan assists fellow recovering soldiers. Resides in FayetteviIIe, NC.

 

 

 

 

SSG Oliver Hughes, US Army

SSG Hughes was injured just weeks before he was to return home from Afghanistan when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) on April 13, 2011. He lost his left leg and severely injured his right leg. Continuing his rehabilitation, SSG Hughes and his wife have settled in Raleigh, NC to raise their five children.

 

 

 

 

 

LCPL Nathan Jakubisin, USMC

LCPL Jakubisin suffered serious leg and hand injuries from an IED while conducting patrols in Afghanistan June 5, 2012. He was awarded the Purple Heart by President Barack Obama and with other warriors shared Nov 2012 Thanksgiving dinner at Vice President Biden’s residence. Continuing his rehabilitation, LCPL Jakubisin will make Raleigh, NC his home in June 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

SPC William Stewart, US Army

SPC Stewart was severely injured during an ambush and IED explosion in Afghanistan July 1, 2012, when he was hit by an in-coming mortar round. He suffered permanent blindness, right side paralysis from a stroke, and difficulty speaking. He received his Purple Heart at a Ft. Bragg ceremony February 23, 2013. His loving mother quit her full-time job to become his advocate and caregiver. A Carolina Panthers fan, SPC Stewart resides in Fayetteville, NC.

 

 

 

 

2013 Honorees

1LT Nathan Rimpf

1LT Nathan Rimpf was born and raised in Raleigh, NC where he graduated from Leesville Road High School then attended East Carolina University on an ROTC scholarship. He was struck by an improvised mine while on foot patrol July 8th, 2012 resulting in the amputations on both legs. He has made tremendous progress in his recovery since his injury mainly due to his faith and the amazing support from his fellow Americans.

 

 

 

 

2012 Honorees

Cpl. Cody Stanton

Cpl. Cody Stanton, U.S. Army 21st Military Police Company Ft. Bragg, lost both of his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan January 26, 2012. Cpl. Stanton’s spirits remain high while recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, with his Mother Nancy Stanton by his side. We are proud to support the Stanton Family.