HONOKOWAI — A Purple Heart war veteran from West Maui has given his medal to a local businessman he believes is worthy of recognition.

The gesture by retired Marine and National Guardsman Ken Baldwin of Lahaina overwhelmed restaurant owner Farzad Azad, the founder of Maui's Soldier Appreciation Vacation program.

"It was great," said Azad, a native of Iran who now operates Java Jazz in the Honokowai Marketplace. "I'm totally overwhelmed."

Azad has invested some $25,000 in a project that involves treating Purple Heart recipients in the Iraqi war to a vacation on Maui. So far, Azad has covered expenses for a week's stay for 14 troops in nearly four years.

"I love the United States. I think it's the greatest country in the world," Azad said, adding that his program is a "small" way of saying thank you to U.S. troops for their service and bravery.

Baldwin, 41, served in the Marine Corps for eight years, with combat tours in Panama and the Persian Gulf. Following his service as a Marine, he enlisted in the Oregon National Guard.

In 2004, Baldwin's unit deployed for combat duty at Camp Anaconda in Balad, Iraq, with the Hawaii National Guard's 29th Brigade Combat Team. Baldwin sustained injuries in Iraq in 2005, when his vehicle was destroyed by an improvised explosive device.

He filed for medical retirement shortly thereafter and moved here about two years ago with his wife and three children. Baldwin's wife is expecting another child this year.

Now a construction superintendent for Ledzor Construction on Maui, Baldwin lives across from Java Jazz, where he noticed the donation box for the soldier appreciation program. Azad covers most of the costs of treating Purple Heart troops to a vacation, but he also solicits support from his business friends and the community at large.

Baldwin said he was touched by Azad's generosity to troops and wanted to thank him by giving him the Purple Heart medal he had received from combat duty.

"I told Farzad how much I respected him. It was just an awesome gesture on his part, and I don't want what he does to be taken for granted."

Baldwin said if needed, he could ask the military for another Purple Heart medal.

Aside from giving his medal away, Baldwin said he hopes to support Azad's program by approaching local businesses and residents for donations.

For more information about the program, visit soldierappreciation.com.

"I'm glad to see that veterans have not become old news. People still care," Baldwin said. "Forget the politics. These guys did their job and they did it well."

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