Whitmer Awards Purple Heart to Michigan National Guard Soldiers

Seven Michigan National Guard soldiers were awarded the Purple Heart on January 24th in a ceremony at the Grand Ledge Army Aviation Support Facility.

Governor Whitmer presented the awards and said, “I am honored to recognize these Soldiers whose dedication and commitment to their mission was clearly demonstrated by their actions while deployed in Iraq. On behalf of the entire state of Michigan, thank you for your service to our state and nation. You are the embodiment of bravery and valor and represent the best of us.”

The soldiers were injured on January 8, 2020 while deployed to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq.

Three soldiers were present to accept the award from the Governor, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason Zylstra, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Goebel, and Sgt. Joseph Suchowolec. The four other recipients honored were unable to attend or had been recognized at a prior ceremony. Their names are Sgt. Andrew Burton, Warrant Officer Dalton Hamilton, Sgt. Derrick Bimer, and Sgt. 1st Class Leonard Adams.

The Purple Heart was originally called the Badge of Military Merit and is awarded to those wounded or killed while serving in the United States military.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand