Higgins Introduces Purple Heart Flag Act
Press Release
As the nation prepares to recognize National Purple Heart Day, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced introduction of H.R. 4765, the Purple Heart Flag Act. The bill honors the sacrifices made by members of the U.S. Military by officially designating a Purple Heart Flag to be publicly displayed and flown at federal facilities on specific days.
"Flying the Purple Heart Flag would be a display of gratitude for the sacrifices made by brave American servicemembers and a regular reminder of the extraordinary price paid by those who have defended our freedom," said Congressman Higgins.
Specifically, the bill would honor service members presented with the Purple Heart medal by requiring the Purple Heart Flag be displayed across the nation at war memorials, national cemeteries, veterans' hospitals, and the Departments of Defense, State, and Veterans Affairs on days of importance including Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day.
The idea for the bill was brought to Congressman Higgins by Russell D. Ward, a Vietnam War veteran and the Senior Vice Commander of Military Order of the Purple Heart Buffalo Chapter 187. The Purple Heart medal is presented to U.S. armed forces who have been wounded or killed as a direct result of enemy action and is the oldest badge still awarded by the U.S. military today.
National Purple Heart Day is commemorated on August 7th each year. It was on August 7th in 1782 that General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, a heart-shaped purple cloth featuring the word "merit' which was the predecessor of today's Purple Heart medal.
Congressman Higgins works closely with local families and organizations to honor Western New York veterans. In 2015 Higgins worked with local veterans on a project adding the names of 280 local Vietnam Veterans killed in action to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. Over the last decade the Congressman has helped to deliver 1,950 military service medals to veterans and their families, including 68 Purple Heart medals.
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