The Independence Fund Commemorates 6th Annual Wounded Heroes Day

Ceremony and groundbreaking for Veterans Memorial Park dedicated to SGT Michael Verardo

Apr. 20, 2026 at 5:07pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of people's hands assembling care packages and writing letters, with the scene bathed in soft, warm pools of light, conveying the emotional atmosphere of a community coming together to support wounded veterans.The annual Wounded Heroes Day event brings together a community to honor the sacrifices of combat-wounded veterans and provide tangible support through care packages and letters.Charlotte Today

The Independence Fund will commemorate the 6th Annual Wounded Heroes Day on April 26, 2026, with a ceremony and groundbreaking for a Veterans Memorial Park dedicated to SGT Michael Verardo, whose courage and sacrifice inspired the observance. Observed annually on April 24, Wounded Heroes Day honors U.S. Veterans wounded in combat and recognizes the lifelong sacrifices they and their families endure.

Why it matters

Wounded Heroes Day is a national movement to acknowledge the true cost of war and ensure our nation's wounded heroes and their families receive the support they deserve. The event highlights SGT Verardo's extraordinary life and legacy while recognizing the thousands of catastrophically wounded Veterans across the country and encouraging communities to take an active role in supporting them.

The details

After being wounded in an improvised explosive device attack, SGT Verardo chose to return to his unit. Fourteen days later, during his first patrol back on April 24, 2010, he was struck again and sustained catastrophic injuries. He survived extraordinary odds, and that day became known as his Alive Day. On Aug. 26, 2025, SGT Verardo died as a result of his combat injuries after years of recovery and more than 100 surgeries.

  • Wounded Heroes Day is observed annually on April 24.
  • The 6th Annual Wounded Heroes Day ceremony and groundbreaking will take place on April 26, 2026.
  • SGT Verardo was first wounded on April 24, 2010, and sustained his catastrophic injuries 14 days later on the same date.
  • SGT Verardo passed away on August 26, 2025.

The players

The Independence Fund

A 501(c)(3) organization committed to serving the Warfighter Community by providing innovative programs and services to support the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual independence of servicemembers, combat Veterans, their Caregivers, families, and allies.

SGT Michael Verardo

A U.S. Veteran whose courage and sacrifice inspired the observance of Wounded Heroes Day. He was critically injured in Afghanistan in 2010 and passed away in 2025 due to his combat injuries.

Sarah Verardo

The wife of SGT Michael Verardo, who is survived by her and their three daughters.

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What they’re saying

“Wounded Heroes Day is more than remembrance. It is a national movement to acknowledge the true cost of war and ensure our nation's wounded heroes and their families receive the support they deserve.”

— Doug Ackerman, Chief Operating Officer

What’s next

The event will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, at Marvin Village Hall, located at 10006 Marvin School Road in Marvin. Attendees are invited to participate by assembling Veteran care packages and writing letters to Veterans and deployed servicemembers.

The takeaway

Wounded Heroes Day serves as both a tribute to the sacrifices of combat-wounded Veterans and a call to action for communities to actively support these heroes and their families. The dedication of the Veterans Memorial Park to SGT Verardo will ensure his legacy continues to inspire and uplift the Warfighter Community.