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Purple Heart Day falls on Saturday, August 7, 2027. That is 284 days away.

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded to service members who are wounded or killed as a result of enemy action. Purple Heart Day is set aside to remember those who received it, and the cost behind each medal.

The medal itself is heart shaped, with a purple center bearing a profile of George Washington. It is one of the oldest military decorations still awarded to American service members. Unlike many honors, it is not earned through a request or a nomination for merit. It is given because of what a person endured in service.

For many families, the medal sits in a drawer, a frame or a shadow box, often alongside letters and photographs. Some recipients came home and lived long lives. Others did not come home. The day holds room for both, and for the people who cared for them.

The day is usually marked quietly. Communities may hold small ceremonies, and some veterans' organizations gather to read names or share stories. Others simply take time to listen to a veteran, visit a memorial, or learn about a recipient from their own town.

Local libraries and historical societies often keep records of residents who received the Purple Heart. A name on a list can lead to a story of a particular person, a particular place, and a family that kept that memory close.

Ways to honor this day

• Display an American flag at your home.
• Attend a local ceremony or memorial gathering.
• Write a note of thanks to a veteran or their family.
• Visit a nearby war memorial and read the names.
• Look up a Purple Heart recipient from your town's history.

Dates

All national days on August 7

Categories: Commemorative daysHistory days