Purple Heart Recipient from Wilmar, Minnesota to Receive American Patriot Award on July 4th, 2011

June 19, 2011 - PRLog -- Sunshine Roth, National Director of Events and Community Liaison for the American Patriot Program (TAPP), has announced that it has selected a Purple Heart recipient from Minnesota to receive the 38th American Patriot Award. This is also the 3rd Anniversary of  The American Patriot Program which falls under the parent program of "Our Fallen Soldier" which is a 501 (c) 3 Organization.

Ms. Roth expressed the staff’s appreciation regarding the support of the Minnesota Twins, saying, “It was easy to recognize a genuine care and affinity with the Minnesota Twins community relations staff when they were told the story of SGT Charles Egerstrom. The Minnesota Twins show themselves to be an organization of true class.”

Sergeant Charles Egerstrom US Army was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March of 2003.  He was awarded the Army Commendation medal with “V” device for valor for his actions during these duties from March 19th  to May 31st of 2003.  He performed over 25 searches which almost always produced weapons.  He came under small arms fire on six occasions.  On 22 September 2003 while on a convoy, SGT Egerstrom was hit by an IED (improvised explosive device). He had volunteered to take the place of another soldier who was going on leave in a couple of days. He was driving in the second vehicle of a three vehicle convoy. Suddenly an explosion rang out and all they saw was a big cloud of sand and smoke.  Although the explosion went off right in front of his vehicle, SGT Egerstrom's first instinct was to “hold straight and go.”  At the scene of the explosion they began to take enemy fire, but it soon ended. The blast had blown SGT Egerstrom's  ear drum on his left side, causing permanent hearing damage. SGT Egerstrom suffered other injuries as well.   He was awarded the Purple Heart for the injuries sustained in the blast.

The 38th American Patriot Award presentation will take place at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN. before the ceremonial first pitch.  The award will be presented to SGT Charles Egerstrom by Jon Lindstrand of the United States Military Historical Collection of Kandiyohi, MN.  Mr. Linstrand who has presented and nominated several TAPP recipients stated, "It is a pleasure and honor to be able to be a part of this project which will honor a former classmate, Army Combat veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, and friend; SGT Charles Egerstrom.

Patrick Klinger who is Vice President of the Minnesota Twins, gave the honor to The American Patriot Program to select a person to raise the United States Flag at this game and they asked a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, Sergeant Ronald W. Mackedanz of the US Army Retired, and resident of Kandiyohi, to do the honor of raising the flag. SGT Mackedanz received two purple hearts for injuries and has was previously awarded The American Patriot Program.

The American Patriot Program has partnered with Pizza Luce in Minneapolis, MN for a meal after the game.  Tony Clauson and the staff at Pizza Luce showed that they truly believe in honoring wounded Veterans and and Troops that have served our Country.  Black Sheep Pizza of Minneapolis, MN. will also be providing a gift certificate to SGT Egerstrom.

The American Patriot Program will continue honoring our combat wounded and fallen one hero at a time with a number of MLB teams during the 2011 MLB season to recognize combat wounded Veterans with the prestigious national level award. The Operation Fields of Green tour will go from the Minneapolis event to San Diego. Details will be released for the future honor events in the coming weeks. TAPP salutes The United States Armed Forces for defending our freedom.

For those desiring to attend this honor event on July 4th, please contact the Minnesota Twins ticket office at (800) 338-9467 or visit www.patriotprogram.us for additional details on TAPP. You may also email TAPP srpatriotprogram@yahoo.com for information.

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The American Patriot Program Honoring Our Combat Wounded and Fallen One Hero At Time. TAPP salutes The United States Armed Forces for defending our freedom.

www.tapp.kk5.org