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Presenter honors Purple Heart recipients on National Purple Heart Day
Summary
A short Oval Office statement on National Purple Heart Day thanked recipients, recounted the medal's 244-year history, noted nearly 2 million Americans have received it, and described Purple Heart ribbons displayed outside the Oval Office after an assassination attempt two years earlier.
Presenter issued brief remarks for National Purple Heart Day, expressing gratitude to recipients and framing the decoration as a central American honor. "Today on National Purple Heart Day, we express our tremendous gratitude to every American warrior and veteran who has received the Purple Heart, a great honor," the Presenter said, noting the medal commemorates courage and sacrifice. The speaker said nearly 2,000,000 Americans have received the Purple Heart.
The Presenter placed the medal in historical context, saying "The Purple Heart goes back 244 years to when general George Washington gave 3 gallant patriots of the war for independence a purple cloth for their bravery." The statement said Purple Heart ribbons sent by recipients were displayed outside the Oval Office in the West Wing "in honor of the courage that keeps America safe and free." The Presenter recounted a personal episode: "2 years ago, after an assassin tried to take my life in Butler, Pennsylvania, I was deeply moved at how Purple Heart recipients from across the country kindly sent me their own Purple Heart ribbons. It was so unbelievable." The Presenter named three veterans who sent ribbons: navy veteran Daniel Peterson; army veteran John Ford, described as wounded three times; and Marine Corps veteran Thomas Mateo, described as wounded six times.
The remarks closed with a benediction: "God bless them, God bless our military, and God bless The United States Of America." The Presenter ended with "Thank you." No formal actions, votes, or policy changes were announced in the remarks.
