Surprise in store for this year’s Purple Heart Day
In 2017, Pahrump officially became the very first Purple Heart Town in Nevada and Nye County the state’s first Purple Heart County – designations recognizing the two entities for their commitment to supporting and honoring those injured or who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Every August since, the veterans’ organizations of the valley have come together to host a Purple Heart Day Sundown Ceremony in Pahrump, taking turns as lead, and this year, the local Disabled American Veterans Chapter is taking point.
“August 7 is Purple Heart Day and Chapter #15 is the sponsor for this year’s Purple Heart Ceremony,” DAV member Richard Goldstein announced. “We’d like to invite everybody to attend. We have guest speakers and it’s a very interesting ceremony.”
Purple Heart Day is one in which veterans and civilians alike can gather to honor America’s combat-wounded servicemembers, showing their support for the men and women who bravely don the uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces.
As Goldstein noted, guest speakers are a highlight of the Pahrump events and the 2025 program calls for remarks from American Legion Post #22 Commander Melinda Mills as well as Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter #730 Commander Col. Ken Gonzales.
The Purple Heart Day Ceremony also regularly features patriotic aspects such as the presentation of the colors, the national anthem and “Taps”, as well as the ID/Dog Tag and Wreath ceremonies. A poetry reading of “A Soldier Died Today” will be included in the observance, as will presentations of proclamations from the county, town and state recognizing Aug. 7 as Purple Heart Day.
Aside from all of the usual elements, there are plans in the works for a special addition to this year’s gathering. Dr. Tom Waters, a Purple Heart recipient himself and a member of the local DAV, promised that this year’s ceremony was going to be something no one would want to miss.
“I have a huge surprise for the community!” Waters enthused. “It’ll be a once-in-a-lifetime event and you need to be present in person to receive the full effect. It’s a historical event that can’t be repeated ever again.”
The Purple Heart Day Sundown Ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, August 7 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Pahrump Veterans Memorial, inside the Chief Tecopa Cemetery, 751 East St. All members of the community are encouraged to attend.
Contact reporter Robin Hebrock at rhebrock@pvtimes.com
A brief history of the Purple Heart
The Purple Heart Medal, originally known as the Badge of Military Merit, was created by George Washington in 1782 and presented to three servicemen in recognition of their bravery. The medal then fell out of use for more than a century before being resurrected but today, it is a well-known and respected mark of distinction, given to those who have been wounded or killed in action.
"The Badge of Military Merit is a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk bound with a thin edge of silver with the word merit embroidered in silver across the face. Only 3 Badges of Military Merit were awarded," information from the Purple Heart Foundation details. "The Badge of Military Merit was redesigned and recommissioned in 1932 by General Douglas McArthur in honor of George Washington's bicentennial birthday. Now known as the Purple Heart Medal, it is the oldest military award, first being awarded to soldiers in World War I and still given to soldiers today.
"It took the Purple Heart Medal many years to evolve into what it is today," the foundation continues. "On the reverse of the medal, 'For Military Merit' is inscribed. The medal itself is made of brass with a gold color to it and also contains a bust of George Washington and his coat of arms. The purple color represents the blood of all those who have made sacrifices in war, but traditionally, it represents the courage of those who serve."
National Purple Heart Day was first observed in 2014 and there are now more than 900 cities, counties, towns and other entities designated as Purple Heart locations. While an exact number is not known, there is an estimated 1.8 million-plus Purple Heart medals that have been awarded.
