The Purple Heart

The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) established the Purple Heart Trail in 1992 as a symbolic trail that commemorates and honors all men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving the U.S. armed forces. In 1922, the Purple Heart Trail was established by the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) to be a symbolic trail that commemorates and honors all men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving the U.S. armed forces. Mount Vernon, Virginia, which is the burial location of General George Washington, is the origin of the trail, and it traverses across the United States and overseas as far as Puerto Rico and Guam. The signage program consists of the designation of an extensive system of roads, highways, bridges and memorials that pay tribute to the recipients of the Purple Heart medal and act as a visual reminder to those travelers that others have paid a high price for their freedom and live in a free society. The tradition of the Purple Heart dates back to the Revolutionary War when General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit to honor gallantry. This cloth badge fell into disuse after the war but on February 22, 1932 in honor of the bicentennial anniversary of George Washington's birth, General Douglas MacArthur restored it as the Purple Heart medal.

The origin of the Purple Heart Trail is well defined on the monument dedicated on August 7,1998 at Mount Vernon whereby it commemorates the establishment of the Purple Heart decoration by General George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, on August 7, 1782, and the Purple Heart Trail memorializes those patriots who were awarded the Purple Heart medal in combat in defense of their nation. The idea of the Purple Heart Trail came from Frank J. Kuhn, Jr., and it was established at the national level by George Gallagher. The idea of the Heart Trail began as a resolution during the 1992 national convention of the MOPH held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The design of the tablet was created by Mickey Gallagher, the wife of George Gallagher. There are many such tablets erected across the U.S. including one that was fittingly placed at MacArthur Square, Norfolk, VA, and dedicated on February 22, 2003. This monument commemorates General Douglas MacArthur who as chief of staff of the Army revived the Badge of Military Merit and renamed it the Purple Heart Medal on February 22, 1932 in honor of the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth. This monument memorializes those patriots, living and departed, who were awarded the Purple Heart medal by a grateful nation for the wounds they suffered in combat in defense of their country.

In 1957, the Purple Heart Foundation was created as a non-profit organization to raise awareness, support and funds for American veterans and their families. The mission of the Purple Heart Foundation is to enhance the quality of life of Purple Heart recipients and other honorably discharged veterans and their families through: (1) Critical Assistance Grants, (2) Providing Resources Related To TBI, PTS, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, (3) Academic Scholarships and Service Dogs. In addition to accepting financial donations, it has a national vehicle donation program and a clothing donation program through Go Green Drop. To donate to the Purple Heart Foundation, call 703-256-6139 or e-mail at: phfcontact@purpleheartfoundation.org