What is Purple Heart Day?

Purple Heart Day 2021 (Photo courtesy Gov. Kristi Noem/Twitter)

What's Purple Heart Day?

Purple Heart Day is also known as National Purple Heart Day, Purple Heart Recognition Day, and Purple Heart Appreciation Day. Today on Saturday, August 7, 2021, People are celebrating Purpleheart day. It is a time for Americans to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. It was first observed in the year 2014 and to this day businesses, government offices, etc. do not close.

How Purple Heart Day is Observed?

States, counties, and cities pause in recognition of the service and sacrifice of their local sons and daughters as do sports and entertainment entities. Major League Baseball teams pay homage to their local Purple Heart recipients, Veteran and military organizations hold remembrance meetings for fallen heroes and special events to thank soldiers, veterans, and Purple Heart recipients on this day. The Purple Heart Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, recommends donating time and money to the foundation or to other organizations working with Purple Heart recipients. People take the time to listen to soldiers and veterans and learn more about their life stories.

What are the Criteria For Receiving A Purple Heart on Purple Heart Day?

A Purple Heart is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have been wounded, killed in action, or have died or may die from wounds received in any action against the United States, action with an opposing armed force, the results of any hostile “foreign force” and many other situations where men and women in uniform may find themselves under attack.

In general, the Purple Heart is awarded for injuries sustained because of an enemy attack. Injuries sustained for other reasons not related to things “not caused by enemy agents” are generally not acceptable as grounds for receiving the Purple Heart, the Purple Heart is now also given to persons who are injured, wounded, or died while a prisoner of war (POW).

Why is the Purple Heart Purple?

Purple heart is purple as this color represents the blood of all those who have made sacrifices in war, but traditionally the color is thought to represent the courage of those who serve. 

Some Amazing Facts related to Purple Heart.

It is the is the Oldest Military Award Still Presented to American Service Members.

It Was One of the First Military Medals Given to All Ranks

During the Revolutionary War, Continental Army soldiers William Brown and Elijah Churchill were the first soldiers to receive the Purple Heart.

In 1942, Army Lt. Annie G. Fox became the first woman to receive a the Purple Heart.

Former US President John F. Kennedy is the only U.S. president with a Purple Heart.

Curry T. Haynes currently holds the record for the largest number of Purple Hearts bestowed upon a single service member.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has recently posted about The Purple Heart Day 2021, she wrote: Today is Purple Heart Day in South Dakota and across the U.S. Dating back to the American Revolution, the Purple Heart is the nation's oldest military award, and not one that is earned lightly. To all our Purple Heart soldiers, thank you for your service.

Today is Purple Heart Day in South Dakota and across the U.S. Dating back to the American Revolution, the Purple Heart is the nation's oldest military award, and not one that is earned lightly. To all our Purple Heart soldiers, thank you for your service. pic.twitter.com/QSqKkwXrsn

— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) August 7, 2021