County Clerk is asking Purple Heart veterans to come forward and be part of Purple Heart Day Ceremony
Erie County, NY- Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns will again honor veterans that have been bestowed the Purple Heart by adding their name to the William J. Donovan Purple Heart Recipients Book of Merit. Kearns is asking veterans who were awarded the Purple Heart or their surviving family members to submit their request to his office no later than July 28th in order to be added to the 2023 edition and be part of this year’s Purple Heart Day Ceremony.
Purple Heart veterans or their families must complete a short application that can be obtained online at erie.gov/clerk/PurpleHeartForm or by email at salutes@erie.gov as well as provide proof the award was issued. Those with additional questions can call the Erie County Clerk’s office at 716-858-6787.
“I think it is important to honor the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our Country. They deserve to be recognized and I am pleased we are able to maintain a record of our local heroes at the Erie County Clerk’s Office”, stated Kearns.
Kearns established the William J. Donovan Purple Heart Recipients Book of Merit in 2018 and has committed to add to the book each year with new recipients. The book is named after Buffalo native and leading advocate for the Central Intelligence Agency, William J. Donovan. Donovan would receive three Purple Hearts during his service in the military, and would go on to heard the predecessor of the CIA, during World War II.
The complete volume of the William J. Donovan Purple Heart Book of Merit is on display year-round at the Erie County Clerk’s Office in Old County Hall located at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo. It presently holds five hundred eighteen (518) names of those honored with the Purple Heart from Erie County.
The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration awarded to members of the United States military who were wounded or killed while serving, on or after April 5, 1917. Originally called the Badge of Military Merit, the Purple Heart was created by George Washington on August 7, 1782. In addition to receiving a purple heart shaped award, the honoree’s name and regiment were inscribed in a “Book of Merit” which was lost after the Revolutionary War and the award was largely forgotten until over 100 years later.
Kearns will recognize the William J. Donovan Purple Heart Recipients and honor all Purple Heart veterans during a ceremony on Monday, August 7th which also serves as National Purple Heart Day annually. Full details will be available closer to the event date.
In addition, Old County Hall will be lit up purple, August 7-13th, in honor of Purple Heart Appreciation Day and in solemn recognition of all service members injured or killed in action.