Purple Heart Day is celebrated each year in August (on the 7th, to be exact) and it offers an opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women who were wounded or lost their lives while bravely representing their country in the Armed Forces. A solemn honor, receiving a Purple Heart means a service member has sustained a significant personal loss, or made the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty.
Purple Heart History
Did you know that the Purple Heart is one of the oldest military decorations? It was first awarded by General George Washington in 1792 when it was known as the Badge of Merit. Washington awarded the original hearts – made from a piece of purple silk – to three Revolutionary soldiers at Newburgh, New York for their “unusual gallantry in battle, extraordinary fidelity, and essential service.” Since that time, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor estimates that around 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded to military service members. These days, many Purple Heart recipients are living and working in our communities every day, their lives forever changed by their dedication to their country.
Derived from the Purple Heart medal, Purple Heart Day provides a dedicated moment to reflect and remember those wounded in service as well as honor the impact this has had on their families. Wondering how to get involved in a meaningful way? Below, we explore some ideas on how to celebrate and honor Purple Heart recipients and their family members in your community.
Reflect and Remember
Recognizing Purple Heart recipients in your community is an important way to highlight the impact of conflicts on veterans and their families. It also helps to raise awareness about the support and resources veterans and their families need to lead a fulfilling life after military service. But honoring our Purple Heart heroes is not relegated to just one day.
Here are a few ways to honor and remember veterans throughout the month, and even year:
Volunteer your time.
Organizations such as the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF), or the Wounded Warrior Project provide critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and freedom. Whether you donate your time regularly each week or for a one-time event, there are many ways to get involved and show your support.
Connect with veterans.
Take the time to reach out to veterans in your community by learning more about their service, writing a letter, or setting up a visit. Since August 21st is also National Senior Citizens Day, consider a visit with a group of senior veterans to commemorate and honor both occasions.
Honor with color.
During the month of August, show your support by flying the Purple Heart flag, wearing a purple ribbon or shirt, or display a Purple Heart sticker. A simple gesture of remembering and honoring with the color purple can help Purple Heart recipients and families feel recognized.
Donate money or goods.
Do you have a used car, boat, motorcycle or other vehicle you are no longer using? Consider donating it to the Purple Heart Foundation as a tax-deductible gift. The Purple Heart Foundation also accepts many other types of donations through clothing donations, planned giving and more.
However you choose to honor the Purple Heart recipients in your community this month, remembering and recognizing their sacrifice is a huge step in supporting military families. More than anything, it offers everyday Americans an opportunity to say thank you to the nearly two million brave men and women who have defended our country’s freedom.