Purple Heart Day

Purple Heart Day is celebrated on August 7th as a way to honor and give back to those who bravely represented their country and were wounded or killed while defending their country. Since 2014, this day has been celebrated all over the nation in many different ways.

This day of celebration has only been in practice for over a decade, but the award (or its likeness) has actually been around since 1782. George Washington himself awarded 3 of the original Purple Hearts, designated then as a Badge of Merit, to honor enlisted and deserving people for a singular meritorious action. This award was a piece of silk bound through it with a thin edge of silver. Among Washington awarding the Badges of Merit, he also authorized others to grant the award to those they saw fit. The use of this Badge of Merit faded over the years, but in 1932 it was revived and relaunched into the Purple Heart we all know today. As well as honoring those wounded in combat, this iteration of the Purple Heart recognized commendable action. Then 1944 the Purple Heart was given the purpose we know it for today, specifically to honor those who have been wounded or died.

Do you know who was the first service member to be given the modern Purple Heart? I’ll give you a hint- he is buried in Norfolk, VA where there is a memorial, museum, and research center dedicated to his life.

The answer is General Douglas MacArthur! Ding Ding! You guessed it! General Douglas MacArthur was awarded the first modern Purple Heart for his service in the Pacific during World War II.

Now for another trivia question…Who was the first woman to receive a Purple Heart?

The answer is Beatrice Mary MacDonald! Ding Ding! You’ve done it again! Beatrice Mary McDonald was a World War l nurse who is one of the most highly decorated women of World War I. She was awarded the Purple Heart in 1936, many years after the war had been over.

Since then there have been a total of almost 2 million Purple Hearts awarded. Now do you see why we need a day to celebrate every single person that has received this honor?

Here are few ways that you can honor this special day:

1 – Raise and wave a Purple Heart flag in front of your house.

2 – If possible, take the time to visit a Purple Heart medal awardee. As veterans, they appreciate the company of people who would listen to their story.

3 – Lay flowers at the grave of a fallen Purple Heart medal recipient in memory of their deeds.

4 – Respectfully salute a veteran. It might be a simple gesture but it would likely warm the heart of a true hero.

If you are ever in New York near New Windsor, you can stop by and learn more about the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

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