Hamilton, Harris Purple Heart Dedication August 8

Hamilton and Harris County have scheduled a combined Purple Heart declaration.

Both the city and county have completed the requirements for Hamilton to become a Purple Heart city and Harris County to become a Purple Heart county.

The official ceremony is set to take place 1 pm Saturday, Aug. 8, on the Harris County Courthouse steps. Hamilton and Harris County will join Pine Mountain, which recently became a Purple Heart city. All three can place signs noting the designation at the respective city limits and county lines.

Also, once designated as Purple Heart cities and county, all three become part of the Purple Heart Trail which is a system of roads, highways, bridges, and other monuments that recognize those men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart Trail started in 1922, at a monument in Mt. Vernon, Virginia. Sections of the Purple Heart Trail can currently be found in 45 states and Guam.

The Purple Heart award has been presented for different reasons since first instituted by Gen. George Washington. Then, it was just a piece of purple ribbon known as the Badge of Military Merit for service and bravery but after the Revolutionary War was not awarded again for about 150 years.

In 1931, Gen. Douglas MacArthur became involved in a project to reinstitute the award. The design, featuring the image of George Washington, was developed by Elizabeth Will of the Quartermaster General’s Office and the new Purple Heart could be presented to those earning the Meritorious Service Citation Certificate, Army Wound Badge, or those authorized to wear the Wound Chevrons during World War I and early period of World War II.

It would be in 1942, the Purple Heart was changed again. Although the design remained the same, it would only be awarded to members of any military branch wounded during armed conflicts. That has remained the case for the last 84 years.

Any Harris County resident who has earned the Purple Heart is encouraged to contact Purple Heart Chapter 492 of Columbus and become a part of the organization. The chapter meeting is held at noon the second Saturday of each month at DAV #7, 1000 Victory Drive, in Columbus, or visit Military Order of the Purple Heart Columbus, GA #492 on Facebook.