ATHOL – To mark National Purple Heart Day, the Athol American Legion E.H. Phillips Post 102 held ceremonies to recognize three Vietnam veterans who received the medal and remember the 18 U.S. service members who have died during the conflict with Iran.
Scott Hume, senior vice commander of Post 102, said that the ceremonies held on Friday, Aug. 7, were the first of what will be an annual event.
Post Commander Brian Dodge told attendees, that in addition to recognizing National Purple Heart Day, “The Athol Legion, from this day forward, will be celebrating the lives of those lost in the Iranian war. As commander, I decree that the flag be put at half-staff every Friday until Monday morning in honor of those deceased veterans.”
Dodge noted that the Purple Heart, originally known as the Badge of Military Merit, was introduced by George Washington in 1782. The medal has a purple heart-shaped badge with a bronze border and a profile of George Washington. It is hung from a purple ribbon with white borders and is awarded to service members wounded or killed in the line of duty.
“Acknowledging that freedom is not free, it is paid for with the blood and sacrifice of our members,” said Dodge. “The American Legion has a commitment to stand by our veterans long after they return home…To our Purple Heart recipients, we cannot undo what happened; we cannot fully feel the pain that you endured. But we can promise you this; you will never be forgotten. Your American Legion family stands by you today and always. May God bless our wounded heroes of the United States of America.”
Local Purple Heart recipients recognized include Marine Corps veteran Gene Duran, who was wounded at the Battle of Khe Sanh in 1968; Marine Corps veteran Joseph Swzeda, wounded in the Operation Dewey Canyon in the A Shau and Song Đa Krông valleys; and, U.S. Army veteran Russell Flagg, wounded at Tay Ninh Province in 1968.
Hume then read the names of the 18 service members killed the ongoing conflict with Iran. A bell was tolled by Dodge following the reading of each name. The reading of the names was followed by the firing of three volleys from members of Post 102’s honor guard, and the ceremony was concluded with the playing of Taps.