U.S. Army A purple heart is shown. A request to recognize Aug. 7 as Purple Heart Day has been made.

LANSING — For the second year in a row, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has received a request to proclaim Aug. 7 as Purple Heart Day in Michigan.

Joseph A. Tormala, a retired veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army who is the Department Americanism Officer for the Military Order of the Purple Heart in Michigan, sent a draft of the proclamation to the governor on May 18.

Whitmer recognized Aug. 7 last year as Purple Heart Day as a way to remember and honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who were wounded or killed in enemy action while serving their country. Last year’s proclamation was made on Aug. 6.

“On Purple Heart Day, we honor the bravery and patriotism displayed by those who willingly sacrificed their own well-being for the cause of freedom and democracy,” Whitmer said in the 2021 proclamation. “We owe our wounded and fallen men and women in uniform our profound and eternal gratitude.”

Purple Heart Day, also known as National Purple Heart Day, Purple Heart Appreciation Day and Purple Heart Recognition Day, is commemorated every year on Aug. 7. The Purple Heart Medal is a decoration awarded by the president of the United States to the soldiers of the U.S. military who were wounded or killed while serving their country on or after April 5, 1917.

This year’s requested proclamation for Whitmer to recognize Aug. 7 as Purple Heart Day in Michigan reads as follows, according to information provided by Tormala:

“Whereas, our nation and its principles have been defended throughout history by brave and patriotic men and women who willingly sacrificed their own well-being for the cause of freedom and democracy; and whereas, President George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit to honor brave military personnel; and whereas, in 1932, on the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth, the Badge of Military Merit was renamed the Purple Heart; and whereas, today the Purple Heart is awarded to honor the Combat Wounded Veterans of this country and those who made the ultimate sacrifice and never returned home; and whereas, recognizing the seventh day of August as a day to pay tribute to those who hold the distinction of having been awarded the Purple Heart; and whereas, our veterans have earned profound and eternal gratitude from all of the people of Michigan for their willingness to risk life and limb for the sake of this nation, its people, and our cherished freedoms.”

On Aug. 7, 1782, Gen. George Washington established the Badge of Military Merit to honor enlisted soldiers of the Continental Army. Today this honor is known as the Purple Heart. The honor was only presented to enlisted soldiers who had performed a “singularly meritorious action,” officials said. Only a handful of these were awarded, and following the American Revolution, the Badge of Military Merit did not become a permanent fixture among the various other awards and decorations given to those who serve.

The Badge of Military Merit would be honored again in 1932, when the Purple Heart award was created to honor the bicentennial of Washington’s birthday. World War I saw the first Purple Hearts awarded to soldiers. Those were presented on the site of the final encampment of the Continental Army in Windsor, New York. The Military Order of the Purple Heart was formed in 1932. It is composed exclusively of men and women who have received the Purple Heart and is the only veterans service organization with only “combat” veterans as members. It is estimated that more than a million Purple Hearts have been awarded and there are about 45,000 MOPH members today.