SENATOR MARIA SACHS CELEBRATES FIRST “PURPLE HEART DAY” IN CAPITOL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: MICHELLE DeMARCO 850.487.5833
SENATOR MARIA SACHS CELEBRATES FIRST “PURPLE HEART DAY” IN CAPITOL Legislation sponsored by Delray Democrat sets August 7th as Annual Day of Honor for Florida’s Purple Heart Recipients
TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s very own “Purple Heart Day” – established on August 7th through legislation sponsored by Senator Maria Sachs (D-Delray) – marked its first celebration on Tuesday in a ceremony at the Capitol.
“The ceremony today means that Florida has finally joined other states around the nation in recognizing these selfless men and women,” said Senator Sachs, whose own father earned two Purple Hearts during World War II. “The commemoration of this day allows each of us, each year, to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our nation’s ideals.”
Senate Bill 276 not only designated August 7th as “Purple Heart Day” but authorized the Governor to annually issue a proclamation designating it as such. The bill also encourages public officials, schools, private organizations, and all residents of Florida to commemorate “Purple Heart Day” and honor those who have been wounded or killed while serving in any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
The Purple Heart, originally awarded exclusively for meritorious service, is the nation’s oldest military award. It was first introduced as the “Badge of Military Merit” by General George Washington on August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor estimates that there have been 1.7 million Purple Hearts awarded.
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Michelle DeMarco Press Secretary Florida Senate Democratic Office 850-487-5833
