Steven May, a sophomore industrial distribution major at Texas A&M University and a Purple Heart recipient, will be honored at a Star-Spangled Sing-Along July 1, 2012 in Sugar Land.

Organizers say the event will honor May, who received the Purple Heart medal after being wounded in Iraq while serving in the Marine Corps, and call him “a true American hero.”

May joined the Marine Corps in 2005 after graduating from high school. He was severely wounded during a suicide bomber attack in 2007 while serving in Iraq.

May is one of numerous veterans who are now students at Texas A&M.

The free, public event at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sugar Land will feature patriotic songs and a tribute to all branches of the military. It will also feature a Dixieland band, whose members are from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Baytown.

“The Star-Spangled Sing-Along allows all area residents to come together to celebrate our great nation’s birthday and to say thank you to a hero that selflessly and bravely served his country and fellow man,” said Ken Barrow, president of the Houston Texas South Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Corporal May’s impact on others is not limited to his sacrifices as a member of the military. He continues to be inspirational with his courage and perseverance today,” Barrow said.