Purple Heart Appreciation Day acknowledges brave men and women

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FILE: Purple Heart medals, bearing the image of Gen. George Washington, are seen prior to the start of a ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington in this April 2007 file photo. AP PHOTO/CHARLES DHARAPAK/FILE

We are saluting the brave on Purple Heart Appreciation Day.

Tom Delaney is one local man awarded the Purple Heart medal. On Wednesday, the army veteran and other recipients made their way to the Military Heritage Museum.

There, a special ceremony honored the brave men and women wounded or killed on the battlefield. Delaney said it is a touching tribute that allows him to remember his comrades, some of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice.

“We’re very lucky that we got back alive and we’re very grateful for that,” Delaney said. “I think about all of the others that have fallen and sacrifices. It’s special for me that I’m able to be there and honor them. To have 15, 20, 30 in this community to be recognized today I think is very special.”

The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration. Nearly 2 million medals have been awarded since 1932.

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