Press Release
August 07, 2007
Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
Cathy Jimenez
518.486.1868
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Unveils Memorial
Ceremony Coincides with Significant Milestones in the History of the Purple Heart
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash today unveiled a permanent memorial dedicated at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. The dedication coincides with the anniversaries of the creation of the Badge of Military Merit and the modern day Purple Heart medal, as well as the formation of the Military Order of the Purple Heart organization.
"The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor serves as an enduring place of remembrance to recognize hundreds of thousands of American veterans who have served our country with courage, dignity and distinction," said Ash. "It is an honor to dedicate this memorial at the Hall of Honor to serve as a powerful reminder to visitors of the tremendous sacrifices that have been made in support of freedom."
The granite memorial, depicting the image of the Purple Heart medal, was donated to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor by the National Military Order of the Purple Heart to recognize Purple Heart recipients and serve as a reflection of honorable service to the country. The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use and is a service-wide medal awarded to those wounded or killed in action.
The Hall of Honor is located at the site of the final encampment of George Washington's Army at the close of the Revolutionary War at New Windsor Cantonment. General George Washington created the "Badge of Military Merit" 225 years ago, on August 7, 1782, to honor the service of his soldiers. The present-day Purple Heart medal was inspired by the color and shape of the Badge and added the image of George Washington.
In 1932, the modern Purple Heart medal was presented to World War I veterans at the New Windsor Cantonment site. The Military Order of the Purple Heart organization was also formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of those awarded the Purple Heart medal and is the only veterans' organization comprised strictly of combat veterans.
Tom Poulter, National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, said, "this Purple Heart monument is highly significant because of its placement at 'hallowed ground' where the decoration first originated during the American Revolution. It is one of over 150 spread throughout our great land to signify the sacrifices in combat and the blood shed on foreign battlefields in the defense of freedom. Freedom is never free!"
Ash further noted that the National Military Order of the Purple Heart has been very supportive of New York State in the effort to develop the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and "we are honored to accept donation of the memorial."
In recognition of the anniversaries surrounding the Purple Heart, an 850,000 square foot image of the Purple Heart medal was mowed into a field near the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. The field portrait was created by artist Roger Baker.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is the only institution to recognize Americans wounded or killed in action while serving in the United States Military and is dedicated to preservation of these stories. The Hall of Honor collects the stories of Purple Heart recipients from all branches of service. These stories are preserved and shared through a series of exhibits, live and videotaped interviews with veterans, and the Roll of Honor, an interactive computer program detailing the stories of each individual.
New York State Parks continues to search for Purple Heart medal recipients to share stories for inclusion in exhibits and programs at Hall of Honor and works with veterans and families to collect invaluable personal information on the background and service information of each recipient, including the circumstances surrounding their wounding, the photographs and letters home, and copies of discharge forms or citations that document receipt of the medal.
To share a story or other materials of Purple Heart recipients, please contact the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, P.O. Box 207,Vails Gate, New York, 12584. For more information on the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, visit http://www.thepurpleheart.com or call (845) 561-1765.