George Washington's Mount Vernon to Celebrate Purple Heart Day

IMAGE: The Badge of Military Merit circa 1783; courtesy of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

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Mount Vernon will celebrate Purple Heart Day Friday with a musical performance by the U.S. Army Brass Quintet and the U.S. Army Band.

The ceremony, taking place at Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, will feature remarks from “General Washington” and other military officials. A special wreathlaying ceremony will take place at the Purple Heart Memorial, located outside the Ford Orientation Center.

The event schedule:

12:40 p.m: Musical concert by the U.S. Army Brass Quintet and the U.S. Army Band
1 p.m. – 2 p.m: Purple Heart ceremony
2 p.m: Wreathlaying at the Purple Heart Memorial

Gen. George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782. The decoration consists of a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk having a narrow edge of silver stitched with the word “Merit” across the face. Considered to be the first official military combat badge of the United States Armed Forces, this is called the “Badge for Military Merit.” The official successor decoration of the Badge of Military Merit is the Purple Heart.

The Purple Heart, per regulation is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917 has been wounded, killed, or has died after being wounded, according to thepurpleheart.com.

Washington said the following regarding the Badge of Military Merit:

” The General ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth, or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with a due reward. Before this favour can be conferred on any man, the particular fact, or facts, on which it is to be grounded must be set forth to the Commander in chief accompanied with certificates from the Commanding officers of the regiment and brigade to which the Candadate for reward belonged, or other incontestable proofs, and upon granting it, the name and regiment of the person with the action so certified are to be enrolled in the book of merit which will be kept at the orderly office. Men who have merited this last distinction to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinals which officers are permitted to do. The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all. This order is also to have retrospect to the earliest stages of war, and to be considered as a permanent one.”
(Wikipedia)

You can honor anyone you know that has received a Purple Heart. Use #PurpleHeartDay to post on social media.