Say ‘Thank you’: Monday set aside to remember injured, slain veterans

Monday set aside to remember injured, slain veterans

People are being asked to show support to veterans by recognizing them on Purple Heart Day, which is Monday.

Purple Heart Day is a time for Americans to remember and honor brave men and women who were either wounded in battle or paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Leo Connelly Jr. of Boardman, commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart in Ohio, said the recognition day's goal is to make people aware of the Purple Heart medal, how it came about and what the Purple Heart means.

Connelly said the Purple Heart started in 1782 under President George Washington and was originally referred to as the Military Merit Badge.

On Feb. 22, 1932, Washington's birthday, it was officially changed to Military Order of the Purple Heart.

In 1992, the Purple Heart Trail started and now is in 48 states and two countries. Signs are placed along the trail to recognize Purple Heart Day.

Connelly said the purpose of the Purple Heart Trail is to create a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges and other monuments that give tribute to the men and women who have been awarded the medal. Signs placed at various locations mark those roads and highways where legislation has been approved to designate parts of the national road system as the trail.

"We are trying to bring awareness of what the Purple Heart stands for, either by losing your life by the enemy or you spilled blood for your country. Purple stands for courage and bravery," Connelly said.

"We will have signs in the three counties at different locations to raise awareness. If you know someone who has a Purple Heart, honor them," he said.

RECOGNIZING HEROES

Connelly said 2 million people have received Purple Hearts.

An Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he received his Purple Heart in 2019.

Connelly received the medal, which he said he values most, more than 51 years after hand-to-hand combat in which he was stabbed twice by a Viet Cong soldier, whose throat he slashed. He was wounded during Operation Billings on June 18, 1967, while attempting to rescue an American soldier, who was lying next to the enemy, who had been presumed dead.

Connelly was drafted into the Army in August 1966 and served in Vietnam from March 27, 1967, to March 27, 1968, and was discharged from active duty on Aug. 6, 1968.

He said Purple Heart chapters have helped veterans in need, presented scholarships to graduating high school seniors and raised funds through awareness

"We have been able to do all this in honor of those who received the Purple Heart. We are honoring those who gave their life," he said.

"The day is marked nationwide. We do a lot of fundraising, so this helps people know who we are and that they are giving to a good cause. We want to let 99 percent of the population know what the cost of freedom is."

Susan Krawchyk, Mahoning County Veteran Services Commission executive director, said there are 17,000 veterans served by the organization.

She said Monday is a special day for Purple Heart veterans, and she encourages any in Mahoning County to let the organization know who they are -- and to become a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

She said Connelly is active at the organization, serving as a Mahoning County Veteran Services Commission board member.

TRUMBULL COUNTY

There is a Purple Heart memorial in front of the Trumbull County Veterans Services Commission building in Warren.

Herm Breuer, executive director, said the date marks when Washington awarded the first medals during the Revolutionary War. The awards then went into a period of disuse, until Gen. Douglas McArthur brought back awarding of the Purple Heart.

"This day lets us remember the veterans who bled for this country," Breuer explained. "The Military Order of the Purple Heart has community projects they are involved in, such as getting hams at Easter, turkeys at Thanksgiving and toys for families of less fortunate veterans at Christmas."

The Kurt and Diane Sauer family last year dedicated a statue outside the Trumbull County Veterans Services offices on East Market Street to honor Bill Sauer, who received the Purple Heart after being wounded in Germany in 1944 during World War II.

Breuer said the TCVS office is named in memory of Sam Lanza, a Purple Heart recipient who was wounded at Okinawa in 1944.

He said of the 15,000 veterans in Trumbull County, about 500 are Purple Heart recipients.

"It is important to always raise awareness of our veterans," Breuer said.

RECOGNITION

Connelly said the Lamar Advertising Co. of Youngstown donated five billboards that state: "The Cost of Freedom. National Purple Heart Day."

Billboards will be on South Avenue in Youngstown, by the Eastwood Mall in Niles, on Market Street in Warren, and also in Columbiana.

Connelly said on Purple Heart Day, walk up to a veteran and thank them and recognize those who have shed blood for this country or given their life for freedom.

He said businesses will recognize Purple Heart recipients with special parking spaces.

Connelly said he will be at the Canfield Fair from Aug. 30 to Sept. 4 in a bright purple-colored tent and will hold a raffle of two 65-inch televisions as a fundraiser.