By Transcript Staff
The Winthrop Lodge of Elks was the scene last Thursday, August 7, of a ceremony marking the acceptance of Winhrop as a Purple Heart Community.
Winthrop Veterans Service Officer Phil Ronan had petitioned the Purple Heart Society of Massachusetts to designate the Town of Winthrop as a Purple Heart community based upon the multiple recipients of the Purple Heart from Winthrop.
Ronan also asked the Winthrop Lodge of Elks to be the official sponsor of the yearly ceremony because of all that the Elks do for the veterans of Winthrop.
A Purple Heart Community is a city, town, or other municipality that has been officially recognized for its commitment to honoring and supporting Purple Heart recipients, who are those who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
This designation is awarded by the Military Order of the Purple Heart organization and involves the observance of National Purple Heart Day on August 7 to show gratitude and respect for the sacrifices made by Purple Heart recipients and their families.
The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in the U.S., originally created by George Washington in 1782. It is specifically awarded to service members wounded or killed in combat.