Soldiers wounded in combat have physically demonstrated a commitment to their country, and for those interested in showing support for these veterans, a specialty car tag will be offered with proceeds benefiting a program that aims to improve veteran’s lives.

The Warrior Bonfire Project will now offer a Mississippi license plate displaying the group’s logo, said Helen Phillips, the director of special projects for the Warrior Bonfire Project.

The nonprofit organization brings combat veterans together with a mission of offering recovery and healing with a focus on creating activity based, stress free environments that promote camaraderie and therapeutic healing.

Patty Mekus, president of the Southern Heritage Air Foundation, which is located in Tallulah, came up with the idea of offering a car tag that would promote the nonprofit organization, and State Rep. Alex Monsour was instrumental in walking it through the House,” Phillips sadid.

By offering the specialty car tag, not only will the Warrior Bonfire Project receive proceeds that will defray the cost of trips offered to the veterans, it will also help get the word out about the group’s mission, Phillips said.

Vicksburg native Dan Fordice founded the Warrior Bonfire Project in 2012 after deciding he wanted to make a difference for veterans who had suffered from injuries both physically and mentally.

Fordice, who is a veteran himself, wanted to bring Purple Heart recipients together in a small group setting.

His idea was prompted after he had a conversation with a friend that had suffered a traumatic brain injury while serving in the military.

The Warrior Bonfire Project website states that retired SFC Charles Gregory Williams commented to Fordice that he could spend a full day with a counselor and not come close to the therapeutic value of sitting around a bonfire with five or six guys.

In response, Fordice said he would provide the bonfire.

The Warrior Bonfire Project’s mission is to offer trips or events planned for the veterans with all expenses paid.

Since its inception, combat wounded veterans have had the opportunity to participate in hunting trips, ski trips, professional athletic events, fishing trips and museum tours, Phillips said.

Many of the trips offered to the veterans are donated by individuals who either pay for the expenses or donate their properties, Phillips said, adding the Warrior Bonfire Project is a customer service organization.

“We listen to what the veterans want to do,” she said.

“The Warrior Bonfire Project license plate was designed at no cost by Hunt Marketing of Oxford, Mississippi,” Phillips said, and the tags cost $31 and $32 if you use a credit card.

“Checks must accompany the registration form and be made out to the Mississippi Department of Revenue. We must pre-sell no less than 300 of these by May 13th so that we can turn everything in by May 15th. Production will begin in July, and our organization will notify each purchaser when their tag has arrived at their County Tax Collector’s Office. For every tag purchased, $24 will go to the Warrior Bonfire Project. No salaries are paid from the project, and 100 percent of contributions that come in go to helping our wounded heroes,” Phillips said.

For more information on the purchase of the Warrior Bonfire Project car tag or the nonprofit organization, call 318-574-2731 or visit www.warriorbonfireproject.org.