Lacey City Council proclaims Aug. 7 as National Purple Heart Day 

The Lacey City Council recognized the sacrifices of Purple Heart recipients by proclaiming Friday, Aug. 7, as National Purple Heart Day. 

The proclamation honors military personnel wounded or killed in combat, and reaffirms the City of Lacey's support for veterans, active duty service members and military families.

Council members adopted the proclamation during a meeting on Monday, Aug. 3, continuing Lacey’s recognition as a Purple Heart City since 2017.  

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, who are wounded or killed in action against a declared enemy of the United States. It ranks as the oldest military decoration still in use, first established as the Badge of Military Merit by Gen. George Washington in 1782. 

The award fell into disuse for more than a century before Gen. Douglas MacArthur revived it on Feb. 22, 1932, on the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth. Approximately 1.8 million service members have received the decoration since its creation. 

The proclamation also credits the Military Order of the Purple Heart for supporting combat-wounded veterans and their families, promoting patriotism and honoring recipients' sacrifices. 

Lacey is home to many active duty service members, veterans and Purple Heart recipients, as well as families of people killed in action, according to the proclamation. It calls on the public to honor recipients, reflect on their sacrifices in defense of the nation's freedoms and express appreciation for their service. 

Retired Sgt. 1st Class Tony Barth accepted the proclamation on behalf of Purple Heart recipients.

“I just want to say thank you (to) everybody for taking time to come out here and for the recognition,” Barth said. “Thank you.”