What does it mean to be a Purple Heart State?

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Oklahoma will be designated as a Purple Heart State beginning November 1st thanks to legislation signed into law recently. Navy veteran, Sen. Frank Simpson said he authored Senate Bill 232 to give Oklahoma’s Purple Heart recipients the recognition they deserve.

“The Purple Heart is the oldest military award given to those U.S. military members who are wounded or killed while serving our country. There is no greater sacrifice and no greater recognition for those brave men and women who sacrificed so much,” said Simpson, R-Springer. “There are no words to express our gratitude or recognition of such great sacrifice. Becoming a Purple Heart State, however, shows the world the immense pride and gratitude our citizens have for the 1,340 Oklahoma recipients of this hallowed award. May God bless them and their families.”

It is estimated that around two million Purple Hearts have been awarded by the U.S. Military since World War I. The Purple Heart is given to U.S. military members in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving since April 5, 1917. The Purple Heart is different from most military awards and decorations as individuals are not “recommended” for the decoration but rather are entitled to it.

Rep. Tommy Hardin, a Marine veteran, served as the principal House author of SB 232, which passed both legislative chambers unanimously.

“Oklahoma has a tremendous military heritage, and it’s important that we honor our military members’ service and sacrifice, especially those who are wounded or lay down their lives for our country,” said Hardin. “With this designation, the service and sacrifice of Oklahoma’s Purple Heart recipients will never be forgotten.”

SB 232 will go into effect November 1, 2019.

Contact info

Sen. Simpson: (405) 521-5607 Rep. Hardin: (405) 557-5383

The city received a Purple Heart City plaque in a ceremony held at City Hall on Monday. Purple Heart recipients joined Mayor Pete Saenz and councilmembers to grant the designation.

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving with the U.S. military. It is also the oldest military medal in the nation.

To be declared a “Purple Heart City,” a mayor and/or city council must deliver an official proclamation, which is then presented to the local chapter of the military order of the Purple Heart.

Purple Heart recipients joined city officials for this important ceremony in which they also shared their memories while being in combat and earning this recognition.

“The Purple Heart Designation is one of the most prestigious honors a city can receive, and we’re extremely grateful for that,” Saenz said. “By proclaiming Laredo as a Purple Heart City, we’re committing to remembering acts of resiliency of brave men and women. It is with much admiration, honor and respect that we should salute all of the Veterans and Purple Heart Recipients.

“Without you, obviously, we wouldn’t be doing what we do here, and that’s exercising our rights, liberties and our opinions. … The Purple Heart city designation will serve as a reminder of your service for our community.”

Texas Department Commander for 2021-22 Lazaro “Airborne” Camarillo, a combat-wounded Vietnam Army veteran, presented the proclamation for the city’s designation.

“What does it mean to become a Purple Heart City? It means that you are going to represent, you are going to honor every single Purple Heart recipient,” he said. “Especially all those veterans who earn in combat this badge.”

Camarillo is a recipient of the Purple Heart himself earning a Bronze Star with Valor for his actions in Vietnam.

According to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, as an Army Sergeant (E-5), Camarillo was wounded during his service in Vietnam.

For his Valor, Lazaro received the Bronze Star with V Device, and received a Purple Heart for his actions on April 5, 1969 at the A Shau Valley, Vietnam. Lazaro Camarillo spent 122 days in the A Shau Valley, fought at Hill 654, Airborne Hill, Hamburger Hill, DMZ and through the entire A Shau Valley. Lazaro was forced to go hand-to-hand twice in combat on Airborne Hill and again on Hamburger Hill.

District VI Councilmember Dr. Marte Martinez reminded present guests the importance of having this designation. As Laredo even being a small city, has always had a big presence in the military, remarking the city’s devotion for serving its country.

“I am proud to be a part of this,” he said. “I’m proud of this proclamation, I want to thank you (Camarillo) for allowing us the honor of joining the other 200 cities in Texas that are now Purple Heart cities, and that we take a moment, not today, but every day to look at this plaque as we’re driving by and remember that is not just a plaque. When we see Purple Heart designations … it’s not just a plaque, this is a commitment from Laredo to stand up and protect our country.”

According to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the state of Texas is home to more than 47,000 recipients of the honor.

Victor Salazar is the Veterans Program Coordinator at Alamo Area Council of Governments. He served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army from 2002-05.

“A lot of people don’t know the gravity, the pain behind this Purple Heart award,” he said. “We lost a lot of brothers.

“This is an award no service member wants to get, but it’s an award we’re all ready and willing to receive for the love of our country. … We’re in this together. Our men fight together, we live together, we do this for the love of our country. This award, it signifies more than just bravery and wining, and combat, it’s so much more than that.”

Laredo is one of 200 cities nationwide that have received this prestigious title. The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration, created as the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington in 1782, to honor all military service members who have been wounded or killed during combat.

What states are Purple Heart States?

How many Purple Heart states are there?

How do you qualify to be a Purple Heart City?