Purple Heart Day

The Town of Hanover recognizes Purple Heart Day annually on August 7^th. Residents, community members, and organizations are urged to display the American Flag as well as other public expressions of recognition of our Purple Heart recipients.

This is a day when we honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s men and women in uniform who were wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.

The Proclamation

WHEREAS, the people of the Town of Hanover have great admiration and the utmost gratitude for all the men and women who have selflessly served their country and this community in the Armed Forces for the good of all; and

WHEREAS, contributions and sacrifices of the men and women from Hanover who served in harm’s way in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedom and the way of life enjoyed by our citizens; and

WHEREAS, citizens of our community have been killed in action while serving in the Armed Forces and have been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for their ultimate sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, citizens of our community have been awarded the Purple Heart for their bodily sacrifice of being wounded in action while engaged in combat; and

WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is the oldest American military decoration in present use and was created as The Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782, in Newburgh, New York, by General George Washington. Initially, it was made of purple cloth, shaped as a heart with the word “Merit” sewn upon it; and

WHEREAS, the heritage it represents is sacred to those who know the price paid to wear the Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, August 7^th is nationally recognized as Purple Heart Appreciation Day; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, We, the Hanover Select Board, on behalf of the Town of Hanover, go on record to hereby proclaim Hanover Massachusetts a Purple Heart Community, honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation’s men and women in uniform that were wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.

ALSO, BE IT PROCLAIMED, We, the Town of Hanover, will recognize August 7^th annually as Purple Heart Day and urge the people and organizations of Hanover to display the American Flag as well as other public expressions of recognition of our Purple Heart recipients.