Turning the Tide on Purple Heart Day
07 August 2023, will be the tenth observance of a recently designated (non-federal) holiday – “Purple Heart Day.” Though recognized since 1932 on various days throughout the year, Purple Heart Day was established in 2014 to coincide with General George Washington’s origination of this medal in 1782, while serving as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army (per veteran.com). Purple Heart Day is a special time “set aside to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.”
Originally called the “Badge for Military Merit,” the Purple Heart Award is the oldest American military decoration for military merit. In 1944, the original requirements for this award were limited to: “being physically wounded or killed in combat,” and this qualifier is now uniquely associated with the current version of this U. S. military medal. General Douglas MacArthur (U. S. Army) is recognized as the first recipient of the modern Purple Heart; the first woman recipient is Annie G. Fox (LT., U. S. Army) for actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor. President John F. Kennedy is the only U. S. President to have received the Purple Heart for his injuries in action near the Solomon Islands, and Staff Sergeant Albert Ireland (USMC) is the person who has received the most Purple Heart Awards (9 total) for actions in two wars, spanning his service between 1941-53 (per James Elphick in “We Are the Mighty,” [written 09 FEB 2021] & referenced on military.com).
Using the designation of “recipient” or “awardee” in correlation to referencing the Purple Heart Award is important to practice because the term “winner” doesn’t really coincide with the negative outcomes associated with earning this award. Occasionally, I have witnessed family members of Purple Heart recipients cringe when someone inadvertently used the term “winner,” not realizing the unintended implications or insensitivities that might accompany such word choice. As we honor Purple Heart recipients this year, be careful with your verbiage in order to facilitate the best rendering affiliated with and intended for this high recognition. This is no attempt on my part to be “politically correct,” but rather semantically accurate. As such, we need to set the best example if we expect others outside the rank and file to understand and respect such honor, so as not to confuse this award with acting, singing, sports or other awards “won” in today’s society.
In his appeal for high values and good works, the Apostle Peter implored his readers, among other actions, to “show proper respect to everyone” (see 1 Peter 2:17/NIV). In August, a month with no federal holidays, let’s take opportunity to show proper respect to those Purple Heart awardees in our communities who have paid a higher toll than most in service to our nation and freedom across the globe. Doing so will not only show proper respect to these special awardees, but it will likely lift your spirit, and just may inspire others to turn their attention toward such noble efforts. Enough of this kind of behaviour and we might turn the tide on “showing proper respect to everyone” back into an everyday occurrence.
Phillip “Endel” Lee Jr., RDML (Ret.), CHC, USN
MOAA Newsletter, Chaplain’s Corner, AUGUST 2023