THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS IS HONORING PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS.
THE PURPLE HEART IS AWARDED TO ANY MEMBER OF THE U-S ARMED FORCES WHO HAS BEEN WOUNDED OR KILLED IN COMBAT. IT’S ONE OF THE OLDEST MEDALS STILL AWARDED TO SOLDIERS. VETERANS’ AFFAIRS DIRECTOR STEPHEN CURDA THANKED THE APPROXIMATELY FIVE THOUSAND ILLINOIS HEROES WHO HAVE RECEIVED A PURPLE HEART.
A PURPLE HEART MEMORIAL WAS BUILT AT OAK RIDGE CEMETERY IN SPRINGFIELD A FEW YEARS AGO.