National Purple Heart Day

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:45:34 GMT

Please Join Us as Belmont Honors Purple Heart Recipients

1. Historical Background: The Evolution of the Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in the world still given to service members.

The Origin (1782) : General George Washington established the award on August 7, 1782, as the Badge of Military Merit . It was a heart-shaped piece of purple cloth intended to honor the valor of lower-ranking enlisted soldiers. Only three Revolutionary War soldiers received it before it fell into disuse.
The Revival (1932) : On the bicentennial of Washington's birth, Army Chief of Staff General Douglas MacArthur revived and redesigned the medal as the modern Purple Heart . It initially honored both meritorious service and combat injuries.
The Modern Standard (1942–Present) : President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially designated the Purple Heart exclusively for those wounded or killed in action . Unlike most decorations, it does not require a superior's recommendation; it is an entitlement earned automatically by meeting specific combat-injury criteria.

2. Observing Purple Heart Day: Ceremonies & Commemorations

National Purple Heart Day takes place on Friday, August 7, 2026 . Major annual landmarks and organizations host structured tributes:

National Purple Heart Honor Mission : Hosts the Purple Heart Patriot Project , a prominent multi-day tribute including a private tour of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor for chosen recipients.
George Washington's Mount Vernon : Hosts a dedicated Purple Heart Commemoration Ceremony featuring military honors. Purple Heart recipients receive free admission to the estate.
Local Municipalities : Towns across the nation, such as Belmont, Ma hold individual community flag ceremonies, moment-of-silence observations, and public roll calls on August 7 to recognize local veteran residents.

3. Meaningful Ways to Support Wounded Veterans

Direct your gratitude toward highly rated, transparent, and verified non-profit organizations:

Provide Housing : Support Homes For Our Troops, which builds and donates specially adapted, mortgage-free custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans to help them rebuild their lives with maximum independence.
Offer Lodging Assistance : Donate to the Fisher House Foundation, which builds comfort homes at major military and VA medical centers, allowing families to stay nearby at no cost while their loved ones receive medical care.
Deliver Critical Financial Aid : Back the Semper Fi & America's Fund or the Wounded Warrior Project , both of which provide immediate financial assistance, one-on-one case management, and lifetime rehabilitation tools to critically injured service members.
Navigate Benefits & Healthcare : Support Disabled American Veterans (DAV), an organization that provides free professional counseling and transportation to help millions of veterans secure their earned medical and disability benefits.

Please join us to honor our Brave Heros.

Understanding the Purple Heart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOvONf3pvSg

Tomb of The Unknown Soldier

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 01:18:39 GMT

Remember What They Did...Remember What They Gave.

Duty, Honor, Counrty

About the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier- DID YOU KNOW THAT....

1. How many steps does the guard take during his

walk across the Tomb of the Unknown and why?

21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he wait after his about face to begin his return walk and why?

21 seconds for the same reason as above.

3. Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed?

Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb , he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.' Other requirements of the Guard:

They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.

They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn.

The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.

Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV.

All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.

Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor recipient Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment.

They respectfully declined the offer, 'No way, Sir!' Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can

be afforded to a serviceperson.

The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

God Bless and Keep Them

I don't usually suggest that many posts be forwarded, but I'd be very proud if this one reached as many people as possible.

We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.

Duty - Honor - Country

IN GOD WE TRUST

Herbert F Wieland.