The Purple Heart of the Matter

By Rachel Forrester

Advancements in battlefield medicine and body armor are helping an unprecedented percentage of today’s military service members survive severe injuries. 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.

In 2014, Jim founded Purple Heart Motor Works (PHMW), a non-profit rehabilitation program in Tucson, Arizona. PHMW partners with qualified volunteers and paid instructors to train veterans in automotive restoration, which in turn provides veterans with a sense of self-worth and purposeful living.

Jim Langston with a 1964 Chrysler Imperial Crown that was donated to Purple Heart Motor Works.

The physical labor of classic car restoration promotes much of the healing and is a source of vocational rehabilitation, while the teamwork, cross training and camaraderie serve as a sort of group therapy. Jim first conceptualized the program as a retiree watching a 2012bike outing for amputee veterans, which was hosted by George W. Bush at his Texas ranch. He recruited a teamof 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.

“For those that haven’t chosen the road less traveled, how could I convince them that there was a life beyond their injuries – and it can be well lived?”

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 GuardReserve in 1972 and found success as a licensed realtorand general building contractor for 31 years.

“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 ofDr. James Rowan and Dr. Jack Williamson, in addition to rough-necking in the oil fields and my work at CarrFeed, Hatch Packing and Mr. Shop menswear, instilled in me the confidence that I can achieve whatever goals I set my mind to. I would not hesitate to recommend ENMU as a first choice for a collegiate education – it truly is the ‘Harvard of the Southwest.’”

When asked about his dedication to Purple Heart MotorWorks, Jim responded, “There can be no more noblecause than to stand behind the brave souls who havestood in harm’s way on our behalf.”

You can learn more about the program at PurpleHeartMotorWorks.org.