NORTH READING — Director of Veterans’ Services Susan Magner reminds the community that Saturday, August 7 is National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
“Please take time to honor and remember those who have served and sacrificed,” she said. The day honors service members who were either wounded on the battlefield, or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives and were thus awarded the Purple Heart.
The Purple Heart is the oldest American military decoration for military merit.
“The Continental Congress had forbidden General George Washington from granting commissions and promotions in rank to recognize merit. Yet Washington wanted to honor merit, particularly among the enlisted soldiers. On August 7, 1782, his general orders established the Badge of Military Merit … open only to enlisted men (Privates, Corporals and Sergeants) and granted them the distinction of being permitted to pass all guards and sentinels as could commissioned-officers…” according to the National Purple Heart Hall of honor.
“The General, ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military merit, directs whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding.”
The modern Purple Heart was re-established in 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth.
To learn more visit: thepurpleheart.com/history/
