Legislature Acts to Create Annual Purple Heart Day

(Juneau) - The Alaska State Legislature today passed House Bill 274, legislation designating Aug. 7 of every year as Purple Heart Day. The Alaska State Senate approved the bill unanimously. The State House passed the bill unanimously Feb. 8.

Codifying August 7th to honor the brave men and women who've earned the medal is the right thing to do, and a small gesture we can make to say thank you for your sacrifice and service.
~ Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom

House Rules Committee Chair Nancy Dahlstrom, R-Eagle River, sponsored the bill, which would codify the date in statute for perpetuity. "State and local leaders do their part annually through citations and proclamations, but codifying August 7th to honor the brave men and women who've earned the medal is the right thing to do, and a small gesture we can make to say thank you for your sacrifice and service," Dahlstrom said.

Representative Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, one of the prime sponsors of HB 274, along with Rep. Dahlstrom, said, "This legislation offers one more way to honor and recognize our veterans and Purple Heart recipients. There is not enough we can do for them."

This legislation offers one more way to honor and recognize our veterans and Purple Heart recipients. There is not enough we can do for them.
~ Sen. Berta Gardner

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who have been wounded or killed in battle. 1.7 million medals have been awarded since its inception in 1942, with an estimated 500,000 of those recipients still living. General George Washington created the medal, then called the Badge of Military Merit, in 1782. It was renamed the Purple Heart on Washington's 200th birthday.

HB 274 will be transmitted to the governor for signature.