Combat veteran takes to Purple Heart Trail to discuss energy production, national security

July 26, 2018

Journey has taken family through 16 states

Underneath the warm afternoon sun on Wednesday, retired U.S. Army Capt. James McCormick and his wife, Heather, and two children Preston and Cassandra, paid their respects to the Mower County Veterans Memorial.
“Put that in his hand,” McCormick directed his daughter, who gently placed a small emblem decorated with the various military branches into the statue’s hand. “No one will mess with it. It’ll stay there.”

The McCormicks have spent the last month traveling across the United States along the Purple Heart Trail in 16 states. The trail started in the McCormicks’ hometown of New Haven, West Virginia and are planning to stop by the VFW National Convention in Kansas City, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart National Convention in Spokane, Washington.

“It’s important we travel along the trail,” McCormick said. “I read off those names from the Vietnam War. Every town like Austin has those similar names. Most of them left to volunteer and gave their life fighting for the independence of others. We soldiers don’t ask why. We just do. That’s what we’re supposed to do.”

The goal was to use the trail as a way to speak to the public about the United States’ national energy policy, and what it means to national security. McCormick also planned to use the trip to highlight the sacrifices of military service members made to defend the country.

“This has breathed life into my life,” he said. “This is an important purpose of how much energy plays into our national security, and our hands are for people like in Austin. … it’s extremely important to have a choice in what wars we engage in.”

McCormick is a combat veteran with numerous honors such as three bronze stars, three purple hearts and a silver star. He appeared in multiple venues across the United States about the importance of producing energy domestically, and the impact it has on national security...

Read the entire story at Austin Daily Herald.