CHARLESTON, W.Va. — During Wednesday night’s West Virginia Power game against the Hickory Crawdads, fans had a lot to take in: the sounds of baseball, the smell of concessions and the pets brought to the game for the team’s Pets in the Park night.
But fans also had the opportunity to pay their respects to recipients of the Purple Heart at a display of the Purple Heart Truck.
The truck and its crew are making a nationwide trip to raise awareness of accessibility for wounded veterans. This includes driver Justin Burdette, who is participating for a second year.
“I’m a double amputee,” he said. “I got injured June 2013 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. I was hit by a 107-millimeter rocket.”
Burdette, who lost both of his legs, said adjusting to life after returning home can be difficult.
“I like to hunt and fish and if I had to rely on my wife to drive me, she’s not getting up at four in the morning to drive me places,” he said.
That is where the Purple Heart Truck, a customized 2018 Ford F-150, is helpful.
“It’s been outfitted with a whole bunch of stuff to help me drive and do things I want to do,” Burdette said.
The truck is also decorated with multiple messages from passers-by, wishing the crew support.
Burdette took over the driving shift on June 18 in Newark, Delaware, and will hand off the vehicle on Sunday in Valdosta, Georgia. Burdette said he estimates he will put 1,000 miles on the truck before the driver change.
As part of Wednesday’s pre-game festivities, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, which organizes the event, was recognized and Appalachian Power Park was designated as Purple Heart Park. Two seats were selected as Purple Heart seats, and a parking space was chosen as a Purple Heart parking space.