Photo By Shawn Davis | Col. Lakicia Stokes, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Cavazos commander, speaks during the...... read more read more
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KILLEEN, Texas - The room fell to a deafening silence as Janelle Ford, executive director of communications and marketing for the City of Killeen, stood at the podium and began the commemorative ceremony for Purple Heart Day Aug. 7 at Killeen City Hall.
“(The Purple Heart) is truly a military medal that is by the people and of the people,” she said. “That’s because it’s one of the first awards in military history that could be given to enlisted Soldiers, as well as noncommissioned officers, for their outstanding service.”
The original namesake of the Purple Heart was the Badge of Military Merit. It was a military decoration designed on Aug. 7, 1782, by the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, George Washington, to be a figure of a purple heart-shaped fabric inlaid with lace or binding to display the word “merit” across the heart.
In the general order written by Washington, he determined the purpose of the award was to “cherish virtuous ambition in his Soldiers” and to “foster and encourage every species of military merit” by awarding it in “instances of unusual gallantry” and “extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way.”
The Badge of Military Merit was awarded during the Revolutionary War, but fell into obsolescence until Feb. 22, 1932, when General Order No. 3, created by then-chief of staff of the Army, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, authorized the U.S. War Department to modernize the award, which led to the creation of the Purple Heart on the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth.
The award sought to honor those who were wounded or killed by the enemy and was made retroactively elligbile to those who served as far back as World War I — including its first recipient, MacArthur.
Killeen’s ceremony was attended by representatives of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Central Texas Chapter 1876, various veterans’ organizations and locals who themselves earned the distinction or had a family member receive the award. Col. Lakicia Stokes, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Cavazos commander, represented the installation during the ceremony.
“Today we gather to honor the value, the sacrifice and resilience of our Purple Heart recipients,” Stokes said. “The Purple Heart is more than a medal — it is a symbol of courage, a testament to the strength of those who have faced the most formidable challenges and have emerged with unwavering spirit.
“Our Purple Heart recipients have borne the wounds of battle, and their sacrifices remind us of the true cost of freedom,” she continued.
Killeen has remained a “Purple Heart City” since 2014, a title proclaimed by then-mayor of the city, Daniel A. Corbin, which highlights the city’s dedication to honoring veterans and their family members for their service.
In the spirit of the proclamation, City of Killeen Mayor Debbie Nash-King announced an additional proclamation in support of its military community to the Military Order of the Purple Heart Central Texas Chapter 1876, and included members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and various other community organizations in the honor.
The city of Killeen also unveiled the commemorative signage that designates Killeen as a Purple Heart City. The signs can be found throughout the city and were sourced and placed by the Killeen Department of Public Works with the assistance of the Killeen Department of Transportation.
“We owe them a debt,” Stokes said, “a gratitude that can never be fully repaid, but we can strive to honor their legacy through our actions and our words to all the Purple Heart recipients here today and to those who could not join us.
“We thank you for your service, your sacrifices, your bravery and your unwavering dedication to our nation,” she concluded.
To learn more about Killeen’s designation as a Purple Heart City, visit killeentexas.gov/purpleheart.
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.22.2024 10:21 |
| Story ID: | 478751 |
| Location: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 26 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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