Purple Heart and Bronze Star Veteran Receives "Strength & Courage" Award at Millville Airshow

MILLVILLE, N.J. - May 9, 2015 - PRLog -- Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient U.S. Army Veteran Sergeant Bob Andrzejczak joins members of the DAV (http://dav.org/) (Disabled American Veterans) Flight Team (http://davflightteam.com/), who alongside their B-25 Bomber “Panchito” are are at the Millville Wings and Wheels Airshow this weekend sharing DAV’s message of support for local veterans . Sergeant Andrzejczak  is being recognized for his service with a special award: “Strength & Courage…Then & Now” reminding us that the services and benefits provided by DAV are just as relevant now as they were when DAV was founded in 1920.

 Andrzejczak first joined the Army in 2005 as infantry.  He was quickly deployed to Iraq in 2006 where he served for fifteen months. He returned to Iraq in 2008 is where, just two months into deployment his convoy was attacked and Andzejczak was mortally wounded.

Serving as the rear gunner of the entire convoy, Sergeant Andrzejzak attempted to save his men when attacked with an armor-piercing grenade.  Crawling to the back of the truck, despite bleeding from a wound that would ultimately cost him his leg, Sergeant Andrzejzak checked on the safety of all of his men only to find he was the only man severely injured.  He was flown to Walter Reed hospital where he began the arduous journey to recovery.  He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service during his first tour of duty and while still in the hospital recovering, he was awarded the Purple Heart.  Retiring from the military as an Army Sergeant, Andrzejczak received two received two Army Achievement medals, an Army Good Conduct medal, a National Service of Defense medal, a Global War on Terror medal, an Iraq Campaign medal with a Campaign Star, an Army Service Ribbon, and a Combat Infantry Badge.  As if his service to country was not great enough, Sgt. Bob Andrejczak has served with the New Jersey General Assembly since March 2013.

“The DAV is an elite group who I have witnessed firsthand take great care of veterans and their families. My injuries are simply one instance of many and serve as a visible reminder and tribute to the men and women who have given everything to this great country  and to all of us who enjoy her freedoms.  Many of our brothers and sisters in the armed forces are continuing to fight for our right to be here today enjoying things like this airshow, I am relieved to know that DAV is there to greet and to help facilitate a number of often confusing procedures for veterans upon their return. ” said Andrzehczak.

 Sergeant Bob Andrzeczak proudly joins the DAV Flight Team at the Millville Wings and Wheels airshow alongside the B-25 “Panchito” to tell his story, provide information about DAV programs/benefits and to  remind people of the sacrifices veterans make for freedom.

 The DAV Flight Team is an aviation outreach program on a nationwide airshow circuit to promote the services DAV provides to injured veterans and their family members.

 DAV (Disabled American Veterans), representing more than 1.2 million disabled veterans, is a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932.  It is dedicated to one single purpose:  fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served.