Each year on August 7, our nation recognizes the men and women who are known as our Purple Heart recipients. The Purple Heart, one of the oldest military decorations, is presented to service members who were injured or killed in service to our country.
Why is that important? There are an estimated 1.8 million Purple Heart recipients. Some of those who were wounded are living, working and volunteering in our communities today. Families of those lost remember their loved ones every day.
Retired Army Sgt. First Class John Reyes is one of those recipients. He sustained wounds in Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 9, 2004, just 30 days into an 11-month deployment, when a mortar landed just meters away from him on a mission to secure an intersection.
Despite his injuries, Reyes assisted other injured soldiers and after applying a tourniquet to his own leg, manned a machine gun on his way back to base for aid. He also received the Army Commendation Medal with Valor.
Today, Reyes serves as Team RWB’s Colorado state coordinator after being involved in the organization since 2014 as a volunteer.
At Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB), a nonprofit organization forging America’s leading health and wellness community for Veterans, we believe it’s our duty to remember and honor the sacrifices of those who came before us, and those we served with. We also believe that we all have a role to play in ensuring those stories of bravery are not lost with time.
That’s why our members, or as we call them—Eagles—will break a sweat with a Purple Heart Workout in groups both big and small August 5-13. Across the country, they’ll complete a 60-minute combo of 0.5-mile runs and burpees in teams (workout adjustments are welcome to include walking, modified burpees, or alternate exercise).
Reyes himself is organizing and will lead the workout at Team RWB’s Purple Heart Workout Flagship event in Colorado Springs. Why? To set an example and show others they are not alone.
“The Purple Heart can give those who have been wounded that feeling that they are not forgotten. It can give them reassurance that having an injury does not mean you’re different than others,” Reyes said.
Whether it’s a workout, volunteering with a local Purple Heart organization nearby, or pausing for a moment of silence, be sure to take some time on Aug. 7 to remember and honor our nation’s 1.8 million purple heart recipients.
Learn more or join Team RWB for the Purple Heart Workout by clicking here.
Read more about the VA benefits and services for Purple Heart recipients.
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An excellent program recognizing us disabled vets past and present. Many dignitaries were there handing out medals, Purple Heart lapal pins, certificates and an inspirational book FIGHTING BACK by Rocky Bleier (4 x Super Bowl player). A big ‘thank you’ to all those making this event possible! Plus one other item, a monument of the Purple Heart surrounded by names of all disabled and deceased vets of Niagara County.
My late husband (PFC Ernest Anderson) served with 27th engineer battalion, 20th brigade, 18th airborne unit and received a purple heart in 1984.
Is there an official list of all who have received a Purple Heart?
My great uncle received one posthumously after being killed in battle in WW II.
Just curious. Thanks.
My husband is a 3-times awarded purple heart recipient, Thank you for remembering those who gave so much to our country!
Above all Purple Heart Veterans should be supported whenever, wherever, and however they need it
the mothers , wives and sisters of deceased purple heart recipients should be encouraged to display ttheir loved ones medal
I was not aware of this Purple Heart organization.Our brother, Charles Mitchell Smith, a Vietnam veteran was awarded several purple hearts. He was a 100% disabled veteran and passed in 2016. He had the strongest will to live and was loved by our community. We miss him and honor his service to our country. Thank you to all veterans.
Thanking all of those who have sacrificed so much. I received my Purple Heart in Europe during WWII. Just celebrated my 100th birthday a couple of months ago. I’m thankful for all the support I receive from the VA.
Cpl. Edward Campany, I was wounded midnite raid in N. Korea May 9th 1952. I was hit with a explosive device knocked unconscious, came too,and cralled down the hill to the CP. I was the last one to the CP, alive, as I found out later our officer was killed during our raid on N. Korean position Our corpman met me and bandaged me up as best he could.
We were evacuated and woke up in a sick bay were my wounds were further taken care of. I consider myself very lucky to be alive and can not not thank the VA enough for their support. I am a living Marine at 92.
Eligibility for a Purple Heart applies to service members who suffered a wound: 1) As the direct or indirect result of enemy action, and 2) The wound required treatment by a medical officer at the time of the injury.
March 30 1968 while working with the Vietnamese Marines as an RTO I was hit twice by shrapnel . Nothing serious just a minor facial wound and buttocks. I was put in twice by a U.S. Marine Major, Marine Captain and an Army lieutenant. I was turned down both times.
KILO Co 3rd Batt 4th Marines 3rd Marine Div FMF
God Bless America
Dear Sir or Madam
I am 100%S/C DAV with ptsd should be qualified for purple ? heart ❤️
I don’t know how to apply for it?
Need from and information
Can some one help me.
My God keep our brave men and women in his loving heart . X Army 1st. Ben. 3 ID
On January?1966 I was wounded on top of hill 165 near the Hoi he mi trail, I was gunner on Alpha 24 3rd Tank Bn. when our Tank ran over a 100 pd mine I wounded to the right knee, never received the Purple Heart to this day, even when to my Congessmam with no luck as of yet. Thank you for your time, I know I did my job a helped destroy many bad people, even though I didn’t wear the Medal it’s in my Heart.
Eligibility for a Purple Heart applies to service members who suffered a wound: 1) As the direct or indirect result of enemy action, and 2) The wound required treatment by a medical officer at the time of the injury.
HELLO I WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART IN KOREA WAR ON JUNE 7 1951 AND I GET ALL MY MED.CARE THRU THE VA
AND I KNOW THEY HAVE THE BEST MEDICAL TEAM AND NURSES PS IM A 91 YEAR VET THEY THANK ME FOR MY SERVICE
I THANK THE VA FOR THEIR SERVICE AGAIN THANK YOU RSH
My husband (of 40 Yrs of marriage) was 100% disabled & died in 2018 bc of AGENT ORANGE rec’d in VIETNAM btw 1966-1970. Was he not really being killed while he was in Actiive Duty?? But he just didn’t DIE until he turned 70 yo & was just about to retire from working 50 yrs in civilian private work?? Is he NOT ENTITLED to receive a PURPLE HEART METAL FOR HIS DEATH? As his WIDOW of 5 yrs, I & his family feel we are entitled to have his PURPLE HEART METAL issued on his behalf & to belong to any programs that may be included.
I also feel his name deserves to be added, as well as all VIETNAM VETS OF AGENT ORANGE RECENT DEATHS, to the VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL.
How do I go about making these requests formally??
Sorry for the loss of your husband and American hero. The Purple Heart is awarded for being wounded or killed by enemy hostility. Your husbands unfortunate death from Agent Orange exposure does not qualify for this award, as Agent Orange was used by us to destroy foliage in the jungle. I think a memorial honoring all those lost due to Agent Orange exposure would be a noble cause but should stand separate from the wall containing the names of those who died while serving in Vietnam. They never made it home and that is the sole reason they are being honored.
Eligibility for a Purple Heart applies to service members who suffered a wound: 1) As the direct or indirect result of enemy action, and 2) The wound required treatment by a medical officer at the time of the injury.
Thank you for remembering the Purple Heart recipients!!!
Thank you!!!
12-07-69
SGT EB40 Viet Nam
Fred Kohanek
My Father a WWII Vet received (2) Purple Hearts as a SSG serving in the Pacific Theater. As a Vietnam Era Vet
I would like to honor his service by participating in the Washington Wilderness Program
I completely understand I was awarded two purple hearts inn 1967 in the Vietnam war 25th infantry.
Just food for thought. . .
Should the men and women (living or deceased) who subsequently developed ALS from their time serving in the military be awarded a Purple Heart?
Eligibility for a Purple Heart applies to service members who suffered a wound: 1) As the direct or indirect result of enemy action, and 2) The wound required treatment by a medical officer at the time of the injury.
I got my purple heart in Vietnam 68-69 1st Air cav.B company 11B.
Do you have information on events in New Jersey?
US Army Purple Heart recipient, C/1/503rd 173rd Airborne Infantry Brigade (sep). Wounded March 21 1970, Vietnam