Purple Heart Day takes place annually on August 7 to commemorate 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. This observance encourages people to pay respects to the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. 

According to History.com, General George Washington, the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army created the “Badge for Military Merit,” a decoration consisting of a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk, edged with a narrow binding of silver, with the word Merit stitched across the face in silver. In addition to Washington’s original design, the new Purple Heart also displays a bust of Washington and his coat of arms. The order of the Purple Heart is the oldest American military decoration for military merit and is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forced who have been killed or wounded in action against enemy. It is also awarded to soldiers who have suffered maltreatment as prisoners of war. 

Since 2001, Minnesota Statute 10.58 has designated the day of August 7 as Combat Wounded Veterans Day in honor of military Veterans who were wounded by enemy action while bravely serving their country against enemy forces, and whose sacrifices have entitled them to the Purple Heart decoration. Each year the Governor issues a proclamation honoring this observance and sends a written copy to the Minnesota Department of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. 

On this day, it is our patriotic duty to remember and recognize those people willing to serve our country, no matter the price. It is also encouraged on this day to listen to the stories of soldiers and Veterans and to thank them for their great service to the nation. 

For more information on the Military Order of the Purple Heart – Department of Minnesota America’s Combat Wounded Veterans: http://purpleheartmn.org/.