Kearns Pays Tribute to Purple Heart Recipients at Induction Ceremony In Honor Of National Purple Heart Day
Erie County, NY – In honor of Purple Heart Appreciation Day, Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns recognized Erie County Purple Heart Recipients being added to the William J. Donovan Purple Heart Book of Merit for 2024. No formal record of Purple Heart Recipients in Erie County existed prior to 2018 when Kearns originated Erie County’s version of the “Book of Merit.”
“An estimated 1.8 million service men and women who fought and lost their lives or received life-altering injury protecting our great country and have earned the Purple Heart,” stated Kearns. “These selfless individuals come from all walks of life and backgrounds, and more specifically, from all across Erie County. While the majority of veterans do not seek our thanks and praise, I firmly believe we owe them both.”
National Purple Heart Day is observed annually on August 7th and dedicated to remembering and honoring the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who were wounded on the battlefield or lost their lives in combat operations.
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military. Originally called the Badge of Military Merit, the Purple Heart was created by George Washington on August 7, 1782. In addition to receiving a purple heart shaped medal, the honoree’s name and regiment were inscribed in the “Book of Merit” which was lost after the Revolutionary War and the award was largely forgotten until over 100 years later. The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration still awarded to members of the U.S. military.
“It is my esteemed honor to present the 2024 Purple Heart Recipient Names being added to the William J. Donovan Purple Heart Book of Merit,” said Kearns. “The lack of records on Purple Heart recipients was always a surprise to me. As the chief document and records holder for the county, I wanted to create a way for the names of Purple Heart Recipients to be acknowledged and remembered.”
The 2024 volume of the William J. Donovan Purple Heart Recipients Book of Merit will now hold the names of five hundred seventy five (575) Purple Heart Recipients from across Erie County, with the additional thirty-five (35) veterans added at today’s ceremony.