Purple Heart Day Reminds Americans Of The ‘High Cost’ of Military Service
Caledonia, NY—Today, is Purple Heart Day. The Order of the Purple Heart is our nation’s oldest American military decoration for military merit. It is awarded to members of the United State Armed Forces who have been killed or wounded in action against an enemy or those who have suffered maltreatment as prisoners of war.
The heritage of the Purple Heart traces all the way back to 1782. General George Washington, then commander in chief of the Continental Army, awarded the “Badge of Military Merit” to only three soldiers for their exemplary service and sacrifice. General Washington’s order has a home state connection as it was issued from his Newburgh, New York headquarters. Other military leaders also awarded Badges of Military Merit, but the decoration was largely forgotten until the late 1920s. Army Chief of Staff General Charles Pelot Summerall and General Douglas Macarthur were instrumental in the reinstitution of a military decoration that is today known as the “Purple Heart”.
Marjorie Byrnes (R-C, Caledonia), candidate for the 133rd Assembly District offered the following remarks on this day:
“Purple Heart Day should serve as an annual reminder of the high cost of military service. All the men and women of our Armed Forces pay a high price in liberty’s defense, but for some, duty, honor and moment in history require a higher cost. For some, it will cost them limbs, but others their lives. As a nation, we observe Purple Heart Day to recognize the enormous sacrifices these have made that we might continue to live in freedom. To these, we simply and insufficiently say, ‘Thank you for your service.’”