On National Purple Heart Day, The city of Lafayette honored those servicemen who have been awarded the honor of the Purple Heart.
In Veterans Park on Feu Follet Road, veterans and the community came together to hold a memorial event. Louisiana Department Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Ronald Crowley, was the Master of Ceremonies at this event.
Crowley is a USMC veteran, 2 combat tour Vietnam Veteran. He is the recipient of 3 Purple Hearts, for wounds accrued in battle.
Commander Crowley has been instrumental in completing the MOPH monument in Veterans Park, as well as a Proclamation declaring Louisiana a Purple Heart state, and Lafayette a Purple Heart City.
The White House released a statement on National Purple Heart Day saying that he is forever grateful for the devotion to duty and love of country that purple heart recipients show.
"On Purple Heart Day, we honor our Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen who have endured immense suffering to earn the Purple Heart. We also pay tribute to the families whose loved ones have been awarded the Purple Heart through their ultimate sacrifice in service to our Nation," a statement reads.
According to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, more than 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been presented to service members since the award was created in 1782.
The modern Purple Heart was created in 1932.
