In the wake of last year’s highly-successful “American Muscle for American Heroes” program, Nexen Tire America, Inc. has partnered with The Purple Heart Foundation for a second time to honor a combat-wounded veteran and Purple Heart recipient by giving away a custom 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S. The “Nexen Hero” Campaign is designed to honor a well-deserving veteran who was wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart Medal by giving away a new Jeep Gladiator equipped with 35-inch Nexen Roadian MTX Extreme Off-Road Mud Terrain tires and several Mopar aftermarket parts. The campaign begins on May 15 and the winning recipient, who will be selected by the Purple Heart Foundation, will be announced on National Purple Heart Day, Aug. 7.

Last year, Nexen Tire showed its gratitude for the safety and security provided by U.S. service members through the “American Muscle for American Heroes” program by providing a deserving Purple Heart recipient with a custom 2018 Dodge Challenger R/T 392 Scat Pack equipped with Nexen Roadian HP Street Sport All-Season radial tires. Purple Heart recipient and retired Marine Cpl. Steven Diaz was selected to receive the custom Nexen Tire Purple Heart Dodge Challenger. He was selected by representatives from The Purple Heart Foundation from thousands of nominations across the country. 

Diaz was severely wounded by an improvised explosive device explosion while conducting combat operations in Iraq in 2005. The incident left him with the permanent effects of traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress and a seizure disorder. Since medically retiring from the military, Diaz has dedicated himself to helping other veterans suffering from similar injuries by co-founding Hidden Wounds, an organization that helps “Heroes battle the invisible war at home” where he currently serves as its chief operating officer and program manager.

This year’s campaign continues Nexen Tire’s commitment to show its appreciation to America’s combat-wounded heroes for their incredible sacrifices while defending the nation’s safety, while also maintaining a commitment to keep drivers safe on the road by manufacturing some of the industry’s most reliable and highest-quality tires. The program is also designed to help bring awareness to the Purple Heart Medal and its recipients to ensure their devotion to the nation does not go unnoticed.

The Jeep Gladiator, which is being customized by legendary car builder Kenny Pfitzer of Zero to 60 Designs in Corona, California, will feature several Mopar aftermarket parts and other customizations, in addition to one-of-a-kind Nexen Tire and Purple Heart graphics. Pfitzer and his team at Zero to 60 Designs were the customizers behind the 2018 Dodge Challenger R/T 392 Scat Pack for the “American Muscle for American Heroes” program.

“Last year, Nexen Tire dedicated itself to bringing awareness to America’s combat wounded veterans, and after the amazing success of the ‘American Muscle for American Heroes’ campaign, we are thrilled to continue our relationship with the Purple Heart Foundation and kick off an all new program to give a Jeep Gladiator to a very deserving combat-wounded veteran,” said John Hagan, executive vice president of sales for Nexen Tire America Inc. “Our heroes’ dedication to providing safety and security to the nation naturally aligns with Nexen Tire’s commitment to creating the safest and most reliable tires on the road, so was very important for us to continue this program and work to bring even more awareness to the sacrifice of these combat-wounded American heroes.”

“It is an absolute pleasure to be once again teamed up with Nexen Tire USA to select a very deserving combat-wounded veteran. Our organization is dedicated to serving these brave individuals who sacrificed so much for our nation’s safety, and it’s refreshing to be tied to an organization that shares that same vision,” said Stephen Ruckman, CEO for The Purple Heart Foundation. “Our motto has always been to honor their sacrifice with our service, and we will continue to support the Nexen Tire’s Nexen Hero campaign in any way we can.”

The nomination period runs May 15 to July 24 and the recipient will be announced Aug. 7, National Purple Heart Day. Nominees must be a member of Military Order of The Purple Heart and the Jeep Gladiator recipient will be selected by members of the Purple Heart Foundation based on a variety of factors including heroism, sacrifice and an ongoing commitment to their community.

For more information on the Purple Heart Foundation, visit https://purpleheartfoundation.org.

Visit http://www.nexentireusa.com/nexenhero to nominate a Purple Heart recipient and for official giveaway rules.