Patriots:
I had been working with Tom Waters, who writes for the Veterans Reporter, to write an article for the August addition of the Veterans Reporter acknowledging "Purple Heart Day", Tom is also a member of Chapter 730.
So, for your early reading is a advanced copy of the article; I hope you enjoy it and I hope others do also.
Thanks!
Dan
FYI - Here is another Politics 101 article for your reading enjoyment or ... :-) This is the focus on Purple Heart Day and the Purple Heart medal.
Below are 'links' to the Purple Heart Monument at the Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetery and to Governor Sandoval's Proclamation designating August 7, 2017 as Purple Heart Day in Nevada.
You can read previous Politics 101 articles in the back issues of the Veteran Reporter Newspaper on line at <www.VeteranReporterNews.Com>
Tom
Dr. Tom Waters
Lt. Col. USAF (Ret)
Pahrump Town Board (2011-2014)
(702) 379-3449 - Cell
VFW, DAV, & MOPH Member
DAV Website - www.dav15nv.org
Politics 101 – An Article Written by Dr. Tom Waters – What is Purple Heart Day? August 7, 2017
While there are many of you reading this that already know that August 7th each year is recognized as National Purple Heart Day, there remain many who do not. It I my hope that this article will clarify “all you need to know about Purple Heart Day and the Purple Heart medal." It will also include some recent information by Governor Sandoval for this day that means so much to so many (the Purple Heart recipients and their families).
Let’s begin by explaining Purple Heart Day. It is ALWAYS celebrated on August 7th each year.
Purple Heart Day on August 7th commemorates the day in 1782 when General George Washington created the Purple Heart Medal – a military decoration that is awarded to those wounded or killed while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
I am pleased to write this article because, as a Purple Heart recipient (and as a student of history), I think often about all of the recipients who made the ultimate sacrifice as well as those who also met the award criteria for presentation of this medal that no one wants to earn. However, once “earned” this medal is graciously accepted and worn.
The Purple Heart medal is ranked immediately behind the Bronze Star and ahead of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal in order of precedence. Possession of the Purple Heart medal does not by itself qualify veterans for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation. However, since November 1999, Purple Heart recipients have been placed in VA’s enrollment priority group 3, unless eligible for the higher priority groups (1 or 2) based on service-connected disabilities. Recipients are also exempt from co-payments for VA hospital care and medical outpatient care, but not from pharmacy co-payments for medications prescribed for non-service connected conditions.
So much has already been written about the Purple Heart Medal so this article is a compilation of many public reports, articles, speeches, comments, discussions, etc.
The Purple Heart Medal is one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces. It was introduced as the “Badge of Military Merit” by General George Washington in 1782. With that introduction, the Purple Heart also became the nation’s oldest military award. In military terms, the award had “broken service,” as it was ignored for nearly 150 years until it was re-introduced on February 22, 1932, on the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. The medal’s plain inscription “FOR MILITARY MERIT” barely expresses its significance. So, on February 22, 1932, the War Department (predecessor to the Department of Defense) announced the establishment of the Purple Heart award in General Order No. 3 that stated; “By order of the President of the United States, the Purple Heart established by General George Washington at Newburgh, August 7, 1782, during the War of the Revolution, is hereby revived out of respect to his memory and military achievements.”
At current estimates, about 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been awarded since then.With General Order No. 3 in 1932, August 7th became Purple Heart Day and has been recognized annually ever since. The holiday also encourages people to pay their respects to fallen military personnel, to listen to the stories of active duty military and veterans, and to thank them for their service to the nation.
The observance is also called the National Purple Heart Day, Purple Heart Appreciation Day, and Purple Heart Recognition Day.
Purple Heart Day is an unofficial observance. This means that businesses, government offices and public transport do not close on this day.
Veteran and military organizations hold remembrance meetings for fallen heroes and special events to thank Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Veterans, and Purple Heart recipients on this day. Many people fly the American flags at their homes and businesses as a way to show their solidarity with the troops.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) was chartered by an Act of Congress in 1958 for “Combat Wounded Veterans” who received the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in combat. Although the MOPH membership is restricted to the combat wounded, the local Chapters support all veterans and their families with a myriad of nation-wide programs by the Chapter, as well as, National Service Officers.
Many of the Purple Heart recipients become members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) and join a local Chapter. I happen to be a member of the Henderson Nevada Chapter #730 where Dan Peterson is the Commander.
For more information on Chapter 730, go to their web page at http://www.purpleheart730.org for location and contact information. If you are a Purple Heart recipient, or know of a Purple Heart recipient, contact Chapter 730 or look for a Chapter near you. The MOPH is very active in supporting all veterans.
For the State of Nevada, there is “A Proclamation by the Governor” dated July 5, 2017 that concludes with the statement:
“Now, Therefore, I, Brian Sandoval, Governor of the State of Nevada, do hereby proclaim August 7, 2017 as PURPLE HEART DAY IN NEVADA.”With support like this, it is no wonder that the State of Nevada has been recognized as a Purple Heart State to receive the same recognition as the Purple Heart Counties and Cities. According to the MOPH website there are over 410 Purple Heart Counties and Cities across the United States. In the State of Nevada, the following cities have “earned” the distinction of being named a “Purple Heart City”:
The MOPH website lists the City of Henderson as the first in Nevada.City of Henderson – January 13, 2014
City of Las Vegas – May 18, 2016
City of Mesquite - September 13, 2016
City of Carson City – April 20, 2017
The State of Nevada earned the distinction on Mar 15, 2017.
I hope that you have a clear understanding of Purple Heart Day and why we celebrate by honoring those recipients of this medal. Please celebrate with us on August 7th as we say to each recipient (or the families of the recipients) “Thank You for Your Service to Our Country and the Sacrifices You’ve Made for Our Freedoms.”
If you missed any of my earlier articles you can go to the Veterans Reporter News webpage at <http://www.veteransreporternews.com/> to review any Back Issues.
I hear from MANY readers about my articles (most are positive) and I thank you for your positive or challenging “constructive” comments. Feel free to contact me if you believe any of the information provided is inaccurate or if you have additional information that I can share with our readers.
By: Thomas (Tom) Waters, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Ret), Ed.D. / twaters2015@gmail.com
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Daniel Peterson
Commander
MOPH Chapter 730 Henderson, Boulder City, Nevada
