WORCESTER — The City of Worcester will honor its Purple Heart recipients with a flag-raising ceremony Thursday, Aug. 7, at 11 a.m. in front of City Hall.
Hosted by the city’s Veterans Services Division, the ceremony recognizes those wounded or killed in combat while serving in the U.S. military — the men and women awarded the Purple Heart, one of the oldest and most revered military decorations still given today.
Want a little history on the Purple Heart? The award traces its roots to 1782, when George Washington created the “Badge of Military Merit,” and is presented to service members who have been injured or killed in action against an enemy of the United States.
In recent years, municipalities across the country have held flag-raising ceremonies to acknowledge and thank local Purple Heart recipients, especially on or around National Purple Heart Day, observed annually on Aug. 7.
Following the flag raising, attendees are invited inside City Hall to view a patriotic flag display on the first floor.
The event is open to the public.
