On Wednesday, March 13, Miller County was designated as a Purple Heart County, through a resolution that recognizes and honors those who have received the Purple Heart Medal as a result of being wounded or killed in combat. A presentation was held at the Miller County Courthouse.
“It is a huge honor to have Miller County as a Purple Heart County,” said Miller County Judge Cathy Harrison.
By becoming a Purple Heart County, the county is honoring all of the Purple Heart recipients, living or dead, that live in Miller County. One way that the county will bring honor to these recipients is by designating some county roads to be part of the National Purple Heart Trail System, which was established by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, according to their website.
The Purple Heart Medal is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration. The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use and was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by George Washington in 1782.
