May 18, 2017

Manchin, Collins and Representatives Walz and Mast Lead Resolution Supporting Purple Heart Day

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and U.S. Representatives Tim Walz (D-MN) and Brian Mast (R-FL) led a joint resolution in support of Purple Heart Day on August 7th. Their bipartisan resolution was cosponsored by 23 Senators and 11 Representatives. Purple Heart Day recognizes the sacrifices of those who have earned the Purple Heart Medal and is commemorated each year on the anniversary of George Washington creating the “Badge for Military Merit,” the precursor to the Purple Heart.

The resolution supports the goals and ideals of Purple Heart Day, encourages citizens to learn about the history of the Purple Heart Medal, and requests that the president issue an annual proclamation calling on the people of the U.S. to demonstrate support for Purple Heart recipients.

“True patriotism is what drives men and women every day to serve in our military, even though that service comes with great risk,” Senator Manchin said. “Our brave service members who face life and death situations deserve the most distinguished medals the United States military awards. The Purple Heart, our nation’s oldest military medal, is awarded to those service men and women who have borne the battle, sacrificing life and limb. The establishment of National Purple Heart Recognition Day on August 7th honors Purple Heart recipients and encourages our fellow Americans to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices those recipients have made for our great country.”

"Each year, August 7th is observed as Purple Heart Day in many states across the country, in recognition and appreciation of servicemembers who were killed or wounded in combat against the enemy,” said Hershel Gober, the National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. “MOPH strongly believes that this recognition should be made at the federal level, in order to fully honor all Purple Heart recipients, as well as to grant the American people an opportunity to reflect on their extraordinary sacrifices. We deeply thank Senators Collins and Manchin and Representatives Walz and Mast for introducing this important legislation, which we wholeheartedly support."

Cosponsors of the resolution include Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jon Tester (D-MT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Gary Peters (D-MI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Boozman (R-AR), Al Franken (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Orin Hatch (R-UT), John Kennedy (R-LA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), James Inhofe (R-OK), John Thune (R-SD), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and James Risch (R-ID); and Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA-05), Walter Jones (R-NC-03), S.P. Maloney (D-NY-18), Tim Ryan (D-OH-13), Dwight Evans (D-PA-02), Ann M. Kuster (D-NH-02), Trent Franks (R-AZ-08), Elizabeth Esty (D-CT-05), Scott Peters (D-CA-52), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20).