THANK-YOU FOR A RECORD YEAR!! On behalf of the Heart Strings For Heroes Foundation, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to every sponsor, donor, volunteer, supporter, golfer, and guest who made this year's sold out Purple Heart Honors Celebrity Golf Tournament such a tremendous success. This was a record year with an incredible 41 teams - 164 golfers! And as much as the weather odds were against us.... God gave us a chance to squeeze in the tournament and just as we were wrapping up... at 1:30 the rain hit. Thank-you to the Almighty!
Our annual Purple Heart Honors Tournament is about much more than golf. It is about honoring service, remembering sacrifice, supporting our wounded veterans, and ensuring that the families of America's heroes know they are never forgotten.
We would like to recognize and thank our incredible sponsors and supporters whose generosity continues to make our mission possible:
Tasca Buick GMC, The Paramount Group ; VFW Post 4412 and Dale Cloutier; Golf Crypt; Premier Mortgage Resources; Empath Health ; Wallace Health, The Gardner Family Foundation Bassano Cheesecake; Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach; Hole In One Donuts; Starbucks; Jersey Mike's Subs; Gold & Diamond Source; Shoot Straight; and Hawks Cay Resort.
Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us continue to provide musical healing, hope, and support to our nation's veterans and military families.
We would also like to recognize our honored Gold Star Families.
Don & Michele Carey, representing Gold Star Fathers of Florida, whose son Bart Humlhanz was killed in action in Iraq on August 26, 2004. Through their continued service and support, Bart's legacy continues to impact veterans and families across our community.
Stacey & James Khork, proud parents of Major Cody Khork, whose life and legacy continue to inspire all who knew him. We are honored to stand beside your family and remember Cody's extraordinary service and sacrifice.
Greg & Barb Gassen, parents of PFC Jacob A. Gassen, who lost their son on November 29, 2010. Thank you for sharing Jacob's legacy with us and allowing us to help keep his memory alive.
Dean & Pepper Coleman, Gold Star parents of Justin Dean Coleman, who was killed in action on July 24, 2009, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. We honor Justin's courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to our nation, and we thank you for being part of the Heart Strings For Heroes family. Your help and support this year was outstanding!
A special thank-you goes to our celebrity players who took time to support our event and our heroes:
Super Bowl Champion Will Gholston, former NFL standout Akeem Spence, and former Cleveland Indians pitcher Roy Smith.
We are also grateful for the dedication of our volunteers, including Kimberly Mills, Dee, Johnnie, Andi Irwin, Pepper & Dean Coleman, Don & Michele Carey, Eddie Zacharac, Nash, Billy, our Purple Heart MC - Ernest Buzz Chainey and everyone at Innisbrook, whose hard work behind the scenes helps make this event possible year after year.
Through our Heart Strings For Heroes M.E.T. (Music Empowerment Training) Program, we continue to use music as a path toward healing. Over the last two years alone, we have delivered more than 60 weeks of guitar lessons, graduating 15 veterans who each received a brand-new guitar. To date, we have awarded more than 200 guitars to veterans and Gold Star families, including more than 100 guitars presented exclusively to Purple Heart Combat War Heroes. A special thank-you to our instructor, Sly Geralds whose commitment and passion continue to change lives through music.
Most importantly, thank you to every golfer, donor, sponsor, volunteer, veteran, and family member who joined us on Nov. 1st 2026. Together, we are preserving the legacies of America's heroes while creating healing opportunities through the power of MUSIC for those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.
We proudly honor Purple Heart Combat HEROES, John Rudy, Jack Henderson, Alex Kelly, Jennifer Sphar, and the enduring legacies of Major Cody Khork and PFC Jacob A. Gassen.
Thank you for standing with Heart Strings For Heroes.
God bless our veterans.
God bless our Gold Star Families.
God bless you all.
And God bless the United States of America. 
See ya next year!!
The Heart Strings For Heroes Foundation
