When the Purple Heart Fire Truck debuted back in 2014, it was a way to show appreciation to veterans. Now, its creator, Vietnam vet and Purple Heart recipient Herb Delbridge, is looking for other veterans to keep his vision alive, reports richmond.com.
A debilitating stroke last year left Delbridge unable to operate the fire truck, which looked like the end of his mission. However, the report notes that volunteers from the Marine Corps League and the Henrico County (VA) Fire Department have put the apparatus back in “service.”
The fire truck is a 1983 Ford diesel on which Delbridge spent tens of thousands of dollars restoring. Hand-painted designs of his time in Vietnam adorn the fire truck, as is George Washington, the creator of the Purple Heart.
The Purple Heart Fire Truck’s next scheduled appearance is March 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mission BBQ, 5440 Glenside Dr.
“Volunteers from the Marine Corps League, James M. Slay Detachment #329; the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Richmond Chapter 1965; the Henrico County Fire Department; the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, and Mission BBQ will be honoring Vietnam Veterans on March 29, 2022 at the Mission BBQ Glenside location,” the fire truck’s website says. “The Purple Heart Truck is back on the road again to honor all who served, driven by Alec Oughton, Chief of the Henrico County Fire Department. Vietnam Veterans will be recognized, thanked, and honored for their service to the Nation during the Vietnam War. Mission BBQ is offering a free sandwich to all Vietnam Era veterans at all of their local locations. Vietnam Veterans who have not yet received their Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin (VVLP) will be presented with a VVLP and other material in recognition of the nation’s thanks for their service and sacrifice from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Mission BBQ is providing a free sandwich all day to Vietnam Vets at their Richmond market locations.”
For more information on the fire truck and its upcoming appearances, visit www.purpleheartfiretruck.com.