Treasurer Stacy Garrity Recognizes Purple Heart Day, Searches for Veterans and Families

Harrisburg, PA - Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity today recognized national Purple Heart Day with a call for Pennsylvanians to help reunite Purple Heart Medals and other military decorations in Treasury’s care with Veterans who earned them or their families.

“As a Veteran myself, I know firsthand the profound significance each military decoration holds and each time we’re able to reunite a Veteran or their loved ones with these cherished honors, it’s a moment that truly touches my heart. The Purple Heart stands as one of the most revered symbols of courage and sacrifice in our nation’s history, and our team at Treasury will not rest until every Purple Heart in our care finds its way home.â€

Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity

Since taking office, Treasurer Garrity has returned 13 Purple Heart Medals, the most recent on last year’s Purple Heart Day to James Morgan, the son of Ray Morgan, a U.S. Army Veteran who was wounded while serving in the Vietnam War.

The Purple Heart’s history is traced back to our nation’s first president, George Washington, and his creation of the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782. The Purple Heart Medal as known today was re-commissioned as a military award in 1932 to honor Washington’s 200th birthday. Criteria to earn this honor has changed through its history. The medal is now awarded to those who are wounded or killed as a result of enemy action.

Eight Purple Hearts are among the more than 500 military items that remain in Treasury’s vault. These military medals, pins, badges and more are safeguarded through the unclaimed property program and have found their way to Treasury most often as the contents of abandoned or forgotten safe deposit boxes.

“The military items safeguarded in our vault are priceless – they symbolize the sacrifice of the Veteran who earned them and that of their family. Getting each one back into the right hands is one small way to show our gratitude for all they’ve done to protect our great nation.”

Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity

In total, Treasurer Garrity has returned more than 550 military decorations, including 13 Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars and a Gold Star medal.

To search Treasury’s military decoration database, visit patreasury.gov/medals.

To learn more about Pennsylvania Treasury, visit patreasury.gov and be sure to stay up to date with all Pennsylvania Treasury news on Facebook (PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity) and Instagram (@PATreasury).

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