DIAMOND BAR, Calif.—It was so successful last year that Nexen Tire America Inc. once again is partnering with the Purple Heart Foundation to give away a custom vehicle to a deserving veteran wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart Medal, as part of its Nexen Hero program.
The custom 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S will come equipped with 35-inch Nexen Roadian MTX Extreme Off-Road Mud Terrain tires and several Mopar aftermarket parts.
The campaign officially began May 15, and the winning recipient will be announced on National Purple Heart Day, Aug. 7.
The Purple Heart Foundation will select the winner.
In December, through its American Muscle for American Heroes program, Nexen presented retired Marine Cpl. Steven Diaz, a Purple Heart Medal recipient, with custom 2018 Dodge Challenger R/T 392 Scat Pack equipped with Nexen Roadian HP Street Sport All-Season radial tires.
Diaz was selected by representatives from The Purple Heart Foundation from thousands of nominations.
An improvised explosive device (IED) explosion severely wounded Diaz while he was 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," serving as its chief operating officer and program manager.