Senator Urges Purple Heart Recipients To Share Their Stories At The National Purple Heart Hall Of Honor

On the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Senator Thomas P. Morahan (R-C, New City), a member of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, urged Purple Heart recipients to take the opportunity to visit the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site, the setting for the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

This 7,500 square foot facility will feature the stories of America's combat wounded veterans, and those who never came back, all recipients of the Purple Heart. Since 1932, over 800,000 military personnel from all walks of life earned the medal in service to the nation.

"If you are a Purple Heart recipient, or you know someone whose memory should be preserved in the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, please contact the Historic Site Manager. Their stories can be preserved and shared through exhibits, live and videotaped interviews with the veterans themselves, and the Roll of Honor, an interactive computer program preserving the stories of each individual," said the Senator.

Guests at the Historic Site will also have the opportunity to leave messages of thanks for veterans to read. A video recording studio will allow veterans or surviving family members to add their stories to the historic record, while a contemplative courtyard will provide a quiet space to reflect on the lives touched by these women and men.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor overlooks the site of the camp (cantonment) of the Continental Army for 1782 - 1783, the final winter of the Revolutionary War. In 1782, George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, and the following year, officers met at the Cantonment to determine candidates for the award, the inspiration for today's Purple Heart.

In 1932, some of the nation's very first Purple Hearts were presented to veterans of World War I on these same grounds. In the years to come, the Hall of Honor will become the nation's sole repository dedicated to the preservation of these stories of sacrifice.

For more information contact Michael Clark, Historic Site Manager at 845-561-1765.

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