Four Veterans to Receive American Patriot Award in Minnesota Ceremony

Nov. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- A spokesman from the American Patriot Program (TAPP) has announced that four combat wounded Veterans from Minnesota will be presented with the American Patriot Award during a Veteran's Day Observance ceremony at the Willmar Auditorium on November 12th in Willmar, Minnesota at 7:30 pm.

Jon Lindstrand of the United States Military Historical Collection nominated three veterans of the United States Army and a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps for the national level award.  The American Patriot Award is only presented to combat wounded Veterans that served in the United States Armed Forces.

TAPP recently worked with the Texas Rangers, Columbus Clippers minor league baseball team and the San Diego Padres to honor combat wounded Veterans.  TAPP is also working with teams in the National Hockey League to honor combat wounded veterans throughout the 2010-2011 NHL season.

For the November 12th Honor Event, All four of Lindstand's nominations were named as American Patriot Award selections following the September nomination period.

Award Recipients include United States Army staff sergeant Alfred Marcus of Prinsburg, Minnesota.  Marcus is a World War II Veteran that took heavy shrapnel to his head and elbow when his tank was hit with heavy artillery fire.

United States Marine Private First Class Glen Gauer earned two purple hearts for his wounds in which shrapnel cut into his hands and face on separate engagements .  Gauer is a Korean War Veteran who resides in Willmar.

Veteran United States Army Sergeant Ronald W. Mackedanz is a Veteran of the Vietnam War and has received two purple hearts for injuries to his hand, shoulder, back, neck, and face.  Mackedanz lives in Kandiyohi.

United States Army Veteran Sergeant John Housenick served in Iraq and suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns when a car bomb was detonated near his convoy where he was serving as team leader.  Housenick resides in Hutchinson.

Jon Lindstrand revealed a deep appreciation for the sacrifices of the honorees stating, "It is a great pleasure for me to have nominated and be here to help present Alfred Marcus, Glen Gauer, Ron Mackedanz, and John Housenick with the American Patriot Program Honor award for their service and sacrifice to our country."

Since the foundation of the American Patriot Award there has only been one American Patriot Award recipient from the State of Minnesota.  Combat wounded Veteran Army National Guardsmen Staff Sergeant Mike Mills of Freeport, MN received the award in November of 2009.  

The four honorees will also be receiving a special service branch Armed Forces fleece blanket by Donna Hogue of Amarillo, Texas.  

In addition, customized Armed Forces honor bat sleeves have also been dedicated to the recipients by Our Heroes Journey program director Kelly Luisi of Carlsbad, California.

McMillan's Restaurant of Willmar has also extended a generous dinner invitation to the recipients and Phoenix Bat Company crafted all four of the awards that will be presented at the Veteran's Day Observance special program

TAPP's founder and Volunteer National Director Wes Hazlett, a 1990 graduate of Willmar High School, concluded, "We are again reminded of how our freedom is painfully preserved by a heavy physical and emotional toll to our fellow American's who yet continue to choose to defend our Country at great personal sacrifice."

Since the program began in 2009 TAPP has awarded thirty combat wounded Veterans with the prestigious national level award and honored nearly 100 fallen military service members with the Enduring Remembrance Tribute.

Brooten, Minnesota's Maxbat, Inc. is also a TAPP team member.  TAPP is comprised of six American major league baseball bat manufacturing companies and one goalie stick manufacturer.

To learn more or to inquire about attending the Veteran's Day Observance program please contact Jon Lindstrand via email at info@usmhc.org or by visiting the official website for the United States Military Historical Collection at www.usmhc.org/.  


Additional article resources
http://www.prlog.org/11023632-tapp-and-columbus-blue-jack...
http://www.minnesotanationalguard.org/press_room/e-zine/a...
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/pressrelease.asp...
http://www.ourheroesjourney.com/
http://www.usmhc.org/
http://www.tapp.kk5.org/

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The American Patriot Program is comprised of a group of nine volunteer organizations joined through America's Favorite National Pastime and the great sport of American ice hockey to honor combat wounded American Veterans.