The Purple Heart Project is getting national attention. NBC’s TODAY show recently featured Boerne’s own Mark Sierra, an Iraq War veteran and chef who has spent years cooking for, and honoring, his fellow service members. Watch the segment below, then read on to learn more about Mark’s story and how it connects to our mission.
Originally featured by TODAY: Meet the Iraq War Veteran Who Cooks for Fellow Service Members.
A Veteran Honoring Veterans
Mark Sierra served two tours in Iraq as a U.S. Army Specialist before returning home to Boerne, Texas. Today he owns and operates Compadres Hill Country Cocina, where the walls are lined with military memorabilia and original artwork, much of it painted by Mark himself. Cooking, for Mark, has become a way of building community and keeping the bonds of military service alive long after the uniform comes off.
How The Purple Heart Project Started
In 2020, Mark started The Purple Heart Project as a free annual steak dinner at his restaurant, honoring local Purple Heart recipients. What began as a single night of gratitude has grown into a year-round mission supporting veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and Gold Star Families across the Boerne community — from the annual gala to neighborhood meet-ups like our recent free coffee morning at Brevity Coffee.
Growing Support for Local Veterans
The project’s impact keeps expanding. H-E-B awarded Mark a $10,000 donation in recognition of his fundraising efforts, which helped install a Purple Heart monument and a dedicated bench at Veterans Plaza in Boerne — a lasting tribute to those who have sacrificed for our country.
Want to be part of the story? Explore our causes, check out our upcoming events, or make a donation to help us keep honoring veterans like Mark and the heroes he serves.