House Moves to Create Annual Purple Heart Day

(Juneau) - The Alaska State House of Representatives today unanimously passed HB 274, a bill designating Aug. 7 of every year as Purple Heart Day. House Rules Committee Chair Nancy Dahlstrom, R-Eagle River, sponsored the bill, which would codify recent local, municipal and state citations and resolutions honoring Purple Heart recipients.

I was honored to take part in a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony to rename a stretch of the Alaska Highway from the Canadian border to Fairbanks as the Purple Heart Trail, and designating August 7 as a day in their honor is just one more way to show appreciation to our veterans.
~ Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom

"The Purple Heart honors our brave men and women who sacrifice, sometimes their lives, to protect and serve. I was honored to take part in a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony to rename a stretch of the Alaska Highway from the Canadian border to Fairbanks as the Purple Heart Trail, and designating August 7 as a day in their honor is just one more way to show appreciation to our veterans," Dahlstrom said.

The medal has signified an individual's meritorious service throughout its 228-year history, which began with General George Washington's establishment of the Badge of Military Merit in 1782. The medal was renamed the Purple Heart on Washington's 200th birthday, and was transitioned to honoring members of the U.S. armed forces who have been wounded or killed in battle in 1942.

HB 274 will be transmitted to the State Senate for consideration.