TUCSON, Ariz. -- August 7th of every year is a time set aside to honor military heroes who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.
According to MilitaryBenefits.info, the first observance of National Purple Heart Day was in 2014.
To honor those recipients in Tucson, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 442 will give $50,000 to local Veteran Service Organizations. According to the Chapter, member have asked the money to be used on helping lower veteran suicides.
The money to be donated on Wednesday was raised furing the Purple Heart Golf Classic 2019 back in March.
The donation will be presented August 7th at the Chapel of the Arizona State Veterans Retirement Home at 5 p.m..
ABOUT THE PURPLE HEART:
The Purple Heart is America's oldest decoration for military merit and was created by General George Washington in 1782. According to The Military Order of the Purple Heart, the honor was only presented to enlisted soldiers who had performed a "singularly meritoriou action." It then evolved to honor all branches of the military after a presidential order was signed in 1942. After World War II, the Purple Heart was awarded to those who were wounded or killed in combat and bears the image of Washington and his family's crest.
While there is no formal record, it is estimated that nearly two million people have been awarded the Purple Heart.
