A Medal Is Just the Beginning
The Military Order of the Purple Heart is one of the oldest and most solemn military decorations in American history. It is awarded to service members who were wounded or killed in direct combat against an enemy of the United States. To receive one is to carry proof of sacrifice that most people will never be asked to make.
But a medal doesn’t pay a bill. It doesn’t fix a broken AC unit in a Florida summer. It doesn’t sit with someone when the isolation gets heavy. That’s where we come in.
The Purple Heart Medal
The Purple Heart Medal was established by General George Washington on August 7, 1782, making it one of the oldest military decorations still awarded today. Originally called the Badge of Military Merit, it was reestablished in 1932 and has been awarded to more than 1.8 million service members since.


Every Purple Heart Medal represents a real person who was in the wrong place at the right moment, who made it back, or didn’t, and whose life was changed permanently by their service. Florida is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the country. Many of those veterans are Military Order of the Purple Heart recipients. We are here for them.
Our Mission
To foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans, promote patriotism, support necessary legislative initiatives, and most importantly, provide service to all veterans and their families throughout Florida.
Our Purpose
We exist to perpetuate the principles of liberty and justice that created the United States of America. That means commemorating our national patriotic holidays, preserving and strengthening comradeship among our members, assisting needy and distressed members and their families, and keeping alive the memory and achievements of those who came before us.


It means cherishing the legacy of General George Washington, who founded the Military Order of the Purple Heart on August 7, 1782, at his headquarters at Newburgh-on-the-Hudson. It means teaching a loyal appreciation of American citizenship and its responsibilities. And it means defending and preserving this country from all enemies, in every way we are able.
We remeber their sacrifice.
We Serve their legacy
Who We Are
The Military Order of the Purple Heart of Florida is the Florida chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a congressionally chartered veterans service organization founded to serve and protect the interests of combat-wounded veterans. We are made up of Purple Heart recipients, their families, and civilians who believe that the obligation to these veterans doesn’t end when they come home. We are volunteers. We are neighbors. We are people who show up.
Our Leadership
A dedicated team of Military Order of the Purple Heart recipients and volunteers committed to serving combat-wounded veterans and their families across Florida.
Dr. Richard T. Weltz
PH.D., J.D., M.F.S.
Jacob Alexander
Vacant
William SloanÂ
Ken Swords
Joseph Garrido, J.D.
Chris Fortin
Joseph Garrido, J.D.
​Reginald Nealy
Andrew Walden
Chris Fortin
Randy Lopez
John Hillery
Reginald Nealy
Jason Mccormick
Mari-Elain Ebitz
Nathan Woods
Service. Honor. Commitment.
Our Values
We show up.
When a recipient needs help, we don't point them somewhere else. We figure it out
We are transparent.
Every dollar donated goes directly to a Military Order of the Purple Heart recipient. We don't skim, and we don't hide how money is used.
We believe in community.
Some wounds heal faster when you're around people who understand. We bring recipients together because connection is part of the mission.
We honor without empty words.
A ceremony matters. But so does a phone call, a covered bill, and a seat at the table.
Find a Chapter Near You
The Military Order of the Purple Heart of Florida has chapters across the state, each serving the Military Order of the Purple Heart recipients in their local community. Find the chapter nearest to you below:
Contact us at
and we’ll help you connect with the chapter nearest to you.
316
Volusia County
- VFW Post 3282, 5810 South Williams Blvd., Port Orange, FL
Gerald Huber, Jr.
Commander
400
General Bob Betts Memorial Chapter, Orlando
- VFW Post 4287, 3500 South Goldenrod Road, Orlando, FL
David Mercado
Commander
524
Harry R. Alexander Memorial Chapter, Lakeland
- Azalea Park, 1325 Grasslands Blvd., Lakeland, FL
John L. Hillery
Commander
453
Space Coast
- Veterans Center, 400 Sykes Creek Pl., Merritt Island, FL
Keith Van Buren
Commander
524
Robert C. Padgett Memorial Chapter, Jacksonville
- VFW Post 1689, 3409 St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL
Laurence T. Walker
Commander
696
Bert Kurland Memorial Chapter, Cape Coral
- Invest in America Foundation, 4820 Leonard Street, Cape Coral, FL
Jack Wagner
Commander
705
Greater Tampa
- AMVETS Post 550, 34645 Airport Road, Zephyrhills, FL
Joseph Garrido
Commander
717
West Palm Beach
- West Palm Beach VMAC, 7305 North Military Trail, Room 4B-117, West Palm Beach, FL
Charles Restivo
Commander
758
Tallahassee
- Vietnam Veterans of America, 241 Lake Ella Dr., Tallahassee, FL
Ken Swords
Commander
776
Aaron A. Weaver Memorial Chapter, Lecant0
- Citrus County Building Alliance, 1196 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, FL
Richard Hunt
Commander
795
Lady Lake
- Saddlebrook Recreation Center, 3010 Saddlebrook Ln., The Villages, FL
Reginald Nealy
Commander
1963
JFK Memorial Chapter, Clearwater
- Frankie's Patriot BBQ, 6250 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, FL
Robert Swick
Commander
566
Sharon A. Lane
Chapter, Pensacola
-
1100 Unv. Parkway
Bldg, 77, Pensacola, FL
Randy McGhee
Commander
Get Involved
Whether you want to donate, volunteer, or simply learn more about what we do, we would love to hear from you.
Secure online donation. 100% goes to Florida’s Purple Heart veterans.