The
PURPLE HEARTof the Matter
By: Rachel Forrester
Advancements in battlefield medicine and body armor
“For those that haven’t chosen the road less traveled,
are helping an unprecedented percentage of today’s
how could I convince them that there was a life beyond
military service members survive severe injuries.
their injuries – and it can be well lived?”
However, even after they’ve won the fight for their lives, many are left with invisible, emotional wounds of war. How can these men and women overcome feelings of despair, hopelessness and isolation, when their past holds memories of themselves in peak physical fitness, with sharp minds and excellent training? Alumnus Jim Langston (BS 69) has made it his mission to help combat amputees and other seriously wounded combat veterans assimilate into mainstream society.
Jim grew up in Farmington, enlisted in the Navy straight out of high school and spent his 18th birthday in Vietnam. After being honorably discharged, he enrolled at ENMU to study geography and history. The young veteran participated in student politics and joined the Sigma Chi fraternity. After graduation, Jim entered the Navy’s Aviation Officers Candidate School and completed another combat tour as a gunnery officer on the USS Albert David DE1050. He transferred to the Active Guard
In 2014, Jim founded Purple Heart Motor Works (PHMW),
Reserve in 1972 and found success as a licensed realtor
a non-profit rehabilitation program in Tucson, Arizona.
and general building contractor for 31 years.
PHMW partners with qualified volunteers and paid instructors to train veterans in automotive restoration, which in turn provides veterans with a sense of selfworth and purposeful living.
“I am personally aware of captains of industry, and leaders in the arts and education, politics, and sports who are all ENMU alumni,” Jim said. “The mentorship of Dr. James Rowan and Dr. Jack Williamson, in addition
The physical labor of classic car restoration promotes
to rough-necking in the oil fields and my work at Carr
much of the healing and is a source of vocational
Feed, Hatch Packing and Mr. Shop menswear, instilled
rehabilitation, while the teamwork, cross training and
in me the confidence that I can achieve whatever goals
camaraderie serve as a sort of group therapy. Jim first
I set my mind to. I would not hesitate to recommend
conceptualized the program as a retiree watching a 2012
ENMU as a first choice for a collegiate education – it
bike outing for amputee veterans, which was hosted by
truly is the ‘Harvard of the Southwest.’”
George W. Bush at his Texas ranch. He recruited a team of like-minded individuals and fellow veterans to serve as board members for PHMW. “My thought was ‘What about the thousands of other seriously wounded combat veterans who haven’t gotten to the bike-riding stage yet?’” Jim explained.
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Pictured: Jim Langston with a 1964 Chrysler Imperial Crown that was donated to Purple Heart Motor Works.
Green & Silver | December 2018
When asked about his dedication to Purple Heart Motor Works, Jim responded, “There can be no more noble cause than to stand behind the brave souls who have stood in harm’s way on our behalf.” You can learn more about the program at PurpleHeartMotorWorks.org.
