During a brief ceremony aboard the Black Mariah, Captain Kathy Granfield was awarded a plaque designating her non-profit program, Veteran Angler Charters, as a Purple Heart Trail member. The award was presented by Major Dan Eddinger, CT Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and National Coordinator for the Purple Heart Trail; the Purple Heart Trail is a symbolic trail throughout all 50 states to commemorate and honor all men and women who have been wounded or given their lives in combat while serving in the U.S. armed forces. The trail’s purpose is to remind the public of those who sacrificed for their country.
The ceremony took place on Oct. 11, and was attended by Granfield’s associates, friends, and members of the Military order of the Purple Heart. Granfield is president of Veteran Angler Charters, an all-volunteer organization which offers free, small group charter fishing trips to injured and recovering veterans from all conflicts and from all branches of the armed forces. Their mission is to provide our troops with recreational rehabilitation and therapeutic support. The organization was founded in 2008.