Select Board Designates Hanover a Purple Heart Community 10/24/23
The Hanover Select Board adopted a Proclamation designating Hanover, Massachusetts, a Purple Heart Community on October 23, 2023.
Hanover's Purple Heart designation is a poignant acknowledgment, affirming that the town stands in solidarity with the veterans who have shed blood, sweat, and tears in the name of freedom. This noble endeavor not only serves as a reminder of the sacrifices endured but also as a promise to forever hold in esteem the courageous souls who have selflessly served our country. The Purple Heart is presented to service members who have been wounded or killed due to enemy action. This medal is a solemn distinction and represents the great sacrifice made while called to the line of duty.
An estimated 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been awarded since 1782. This medal was created by George Washington, originally known as the Badge of Merit, which was signed in the form of a cloth purple heart. Washington awarded these medals to soldiers and non-commissioned officers who demonstrated “not only instances of unusual gallantry in battle but also extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way” during the American Revolution. Today, this medal continues to be awarded to the courageous women and men who place their lives on the line, ensuring the preservation of our cherished freedoms.
Chris Saunders, a Hanover resident and Purple Heart recipient, shared his story about his heroic service and sacrifice in Iraq:
Chris was working in construction when 9/11 happened. A week and a half after 9/11 occurred, he and his friend drove to ground zero to see the aftermath of the tragedy that happened prior. Seeing the devastation first-hand, "the crater left in the earth", moved him to want to make an impact. Two weeks later, he enlisted and began his journey in the United States Marine Corps. In 2006, Chris was stationed in Fallujah, Iraq. After six and a half months into his deployment, on September 14, 2006, his life changed forever. Driving in a Humvee at approximately 5:00 am, Chris and his squad were responsible for dropping off a sniper team to their hides. As they reached their location, they circled the premises to ensure the sniper team could safely enter a building. They were driving along, Chris heard a "boom", felt a rumble underneath him, and saw a fireball engulf the Humvee. Within that split second, Chris remembers thinking "this is it, I am dead".
Chris and his team ran over two anti-tank mines. As he regained consciousness, he woke up to excruciating ringing and pounding in his ears, felt pain throughout his legs, and looked down to find himself consumed by flames. Trapped in the Humvee, Chris tried to devise an exit plan. As he was looking around, the turret above him was partially collapsed. Seeing this was his only way out, he took his gear off and squeezed his body through the turret onto the roof. Then darkness overtook him and he passed out on the roof of the exploded vehicle. Somehow, after losing consciousness, he rolled off the hood of the Humvee and looked around to find his squad leader, who was laying in the dirt, and holding his throat that had been torn open by shrapnel, trying to crawl off safely. Immediately, the adrenaline overtook Chris and he moved toward his friend to assist with his injuries. Chris collapsed, further fracturing his leg, but could still help his squad leader by holding his hand to his neck to prevent too much blood loss.
A patrol unit in a surrounding area rushed to their aid. On the way back to base, Chris held his squad leader's neck to aid in preventing blood loss while reassuring his squad leader that everything was going to be alright. Chris sustained seven leg fractures in his left leg, first, second, and third-degree burns on his face and neck, a pinched nerve in his spine, two blown-out eardrums, a level three concussion, traumatic brain injury, and bleeding in his brain from the IED explosion. He was bedridden for four months, endured multiple surgeries on his shattered leg, and received physical therapy six days a week at three hours per day for two years.
With the injuries Chris sustained from the explosion and the pain he experienced, he displayed true selfless service by prioritizing the well-being of his squad leader and his injuries. Upon returning home, Chris received a Purple Heart award from President W. George Bush from the wounds that he sustained fighting against the enemy. Chris now lives in Hanover with his wife, two daughters, and son. He is active within our Veteran community in Hanover.