Purple Heart Day in Lacey honors service and sacrifice

Reaffirming its commitment to military remembrance, the City of Lacey upheld its standing as a Purple Heart City through a proclamation recognizing Aug. 7 as National Purple Heart Day. 

The action during the Lacey City Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 5, restated the city’s alignment with a 2017 resolution that named Lacey as Purple Heart City. 

“The City of Lacey is home to many active-duty military personnel and veterans, including numerous Purple Heart recipients and those who have been killed in action, whose bravery and sacrifice have left an indelible mark on our community,” the proclamation states. 

The Purple Heart, established by General George Washington in 1782 as the Badge of Military Merit, is the oldest military decoration still in use by the United States Armed Forces. The recognition is awarded to service members, who have been wounded or killed in combat against a declared enemy 

According to the city’s proclamation, the Military Order of the Purple Heart “is committed to fostering goodwill among combat-wounded veterans and their families, promoting patriotism, and ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten.”  

Lacey’s proclamation characterized contributions of the Purple Heart recipients, as combat-wounded veterans and military personnel killed in action who have left an “indelible ink” to Lacey’s legacy of national service. 

Mayor Andy Ryder called on the public to reflect on the burdens of wartime service and to recognize the impact of battlefield injuries. 

“I … encourage all residents to honor the courage of our Purple Heart recipients, to reflect on their sacrifices in defense of our freedoms, and to demonstrate our heartfelt appreciation and respect for their service,” Ryder said. 

Council member Nicholas Dunning then introduced Marine Corps veteran Oliver Osborne, who was in attendance as a guest. 

Dunning recounted Osborne’s role as a “tunnel rat” during the Vietnam War — a reference to an assignment that involved entering and clearing underground enemy passageways. 

“What he lacks in height, he makes up for in heart, which made him an excellent choice to be a tunnel rat. They’re the ones who went in very cold and dangerous and dark holes, and tried to find people, places and things you don’t really want to find,” Dunning said. 

He also shared an instance wherein Osborne entered a tunnel alone and fell through a collapsed floor into a room where Vietnamese soldiers were eating. 

“They were all as shocked as he was,” he said. 

He further added, “I don’t want to glorify war. It’s horrific. But I do want to acknowledge the bravery that our young men and women have when they go into these situations and defend our country, and the people who are in it.” 

Dunning remarked Osborne continues to show up daily and “sets the example for everyone.” 

Osborne said the recognition was unexpected and meaningful. He also conveyed appreciation saying he was grateful to the city for publicly honoring people who served and were wounded in combat. 

The city’s National Purple Heart Day observance falls in line with nationwide efforts by the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The organization promotes public awareness of battlefield injuries and honors service members who have received the medal.