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Don’t forget…
On August 5, 2007 at 2:00 P.M, Chapter 395, Military Order of the Purple Heart will hold a Purple Heart Day ceremony in the NH State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH. This program is focused on the losses New Hampshire has had in the War on Terror. Tribute will be made to both those wounded in combat, and those who have given their lives..The Purple Heart medal is a historic special decoration. On August 7, 1782, General George Washington, at his headquarters in Newburgh, New York became aware of the significant contribution being made by his enlisted men. At the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the signers pledged their fortunes, their lives, and their honor to the cause of liberty. Many of those men lost their fortunes and their lives. However, as General Washington reviewed his troops, he saw many enlisted men who had no fortunes, who were making significant personal sacrifice for no other reason than the cause of liberty. He was having a hard time getting them supplies, and paying them was out of the question. He issued orders for the giving of a Badge of Military Merit. It was to be given only to enlisted men for any singularly meritorious action. History has recorded the Badge being given to only three men, all from Connecticut; Sergeants Elijah Churchill, William Brown, and Daniel Bissell, Jr. This was the first decoration ever to honor soldiers in lower ranks. General Washington intended that in a patriot army, the road to glory is open to all..After the Revolutionary War, the decoration was not ever awarded again in the 19th century..World War I was a new type of conflict, both in fighting on foreign soil and dealing with new weapons of technology. Many of our Doughboys suffered from exposure to being gassed. Many of these soldiers came home, were discharged, and later developed health problems and died. These deaths continued into the late 1920’s..On October 10, 1927, Army Chief of Staff General Charles P. Summerall directed that a bill be sent to congress "to revive the Badge of Military Merit" so that these soldiers could be honored. The project was delayed. On January 7, 1931 a new bill was submitted for then Chief of Staff, General Douglas MacArthur. On February 22, 1932 (the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth), the War Department issued the following General Order: "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, hereby revived out of respect to his memory and military achievements. "
The Purple Heart medal now recognizes those killed and wounded in combat, and officers and enlisted men. Originally being an Army decoration, it is now given to all services, and to civilians while serving with the armed forces, and to victims of the War on Terror. The Purple Heart is never "won" or "earned"; it is simply received for the meritorious act of having given blood for our country..The August 5, 2007 ceremony is dedicated to those New Hampshire men and women who have been combat wounded, and to those who have given their lives in the War on Terror. Participating in the program will be members of most service branches, and veterans from a number of wars, many of whom have received the Purple Heart medal. Main participants will be Major General Kenneth R. Clark, Sergeant Christopher B. McWilliams, Lt. Colonel Joseph D. Kenney, and Senior Vice Commander, MOPH, David L. Smith. Governor Lynch, Senators Gregg and Sununu, Representatives Hodes and Shea-Porter, and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, Dr. Griffin T. Dalianis have been invited to attend. An excellent attendance by our Gold Star mothers, and combat wounded veterans is expected. The public is most welcome. Please come and show support for our New Hampshire War on Terror heroes and their families..Submitted: David L. Smith
Senior Vice Commander, Chapter 309, MOPH
Nashua, NH