Purple Heart Recipients Honored Wednesday

August 2 was Purple Heart Day in Franklin.

The Purple Heart award was first established by George Washington as America’s first military decoration during the Revolutionary War. It was formally reestablished in the 1930s. According to Wikipedia, the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917, has been wounded or killed. Nearly two million individuals have been so awarded, including nearly 13,000 in connection with the conflict in Afghanistan.

On Wednesday morning, in conjunction with the  monthly Veteran's Coffee, a number of Purple Heart award recipients were honored in person. The town currently has a database with more than 60 Purple Heart recipients.