Warrior Bonfire Program is hosting its ninth annual Mississippi charity event next month to support Purple Heart combat veterans.
The nationwide organization is tailored to help post-9/11 Purple Heart recipients in their journey to recovery and returning to the community. As the oldest military award in America, the Purple Heart remains one of the most prestigious recognitions for recovered soldiers. The medal is offered only to those who are eligible by commendable action and were wounded or killed in combat.
The Diamonds & Dog Tags Charity Event will be held Aug. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in Ridgeland. It will include a silent and normal auction, a bourbon raffle, and live music, with the continued goal of raising money for the Warrior Bonfire Program and past Purple Heart recipients.
“Diamonds & Dog Tags is more than a gala — it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful difference,” the organization wrote on its website. “Every ticket purchased, sponsorship secured, and donation made helps Warrior Bonfire Program provide life-changing retreats that foster healing, camaraderie, and renewed purpose for combat-wounded veterans.”
Warrior Bonfire’s Lloyd Munn joined Good Things with Rebecca Turnerto share more about the origins of the organization and how it helps the wounded veterans involved.
“One of the Purple Heart guys said on a hunting trip, ‘Sitting around this campfire with folks who have been through what I have has helped me more than any doctor I’ve ever known,'” Munn said. “Dan Fordice (the founder) said, ‘We know how to build a bonfire,’ and that was the beginning of this.”
The life-changing Warrior Bonfire Program, as described by Munn, gives these veterans a renewed purpose and a way to surround themselves with men who can relate to their pain, whether it’s mental or physical.
“The time spent with fellow combat wounded, laughing, crying, messing with each other, helps put guys in a mind frame and comfort zone to let their guard down a bit, just enough, to start seeing that they can make it work, find a purpose again, and be alright with the appreciation shown to them by so many good Patriots who are around at Warrior Bonfire events,” Purple Heart recipient Jason J. Baillargeon said.
The featured keynote speaker for the fundraiser in Ridgeland is retired U.S. Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter, who was born in Mississippi.
“Kyle’s remarkable story of courage, sacrifice, resilience, and recovery is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary commitment made by America’s service members and the strength of the human spirit,” Munn said.
Located at The ARC at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School’s North Campus, the event requires guests to RSVP by July 25. Individual tickets are $75 and couple tickets are $140.