On May 7, the Town of Acushnet will express gratitude to the sons and daughters of its community who received the Purple Heart.

Established by George Washington, the Purple Heart was awarded to military personnel who were either wounded or killed in combat, or through an act of terrorism or by friendly fire, defending the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.

On Sunday, May 7 at 10 a.m. at Pope Park, Acushnet will become a Purple Heart Town with a special ceremony at the Veterans Memorial.

"We welcome everyone from the SouthCoast to attend, most especially the Purple Heart recipients from the area," Eric James, Vice Commander of American Legion Post 265 in Acushnet, said. "If any medalist would like to say a few words personally, we’d appreciate hearing from you heroes of any war."

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This is the first year Acushnet is appropriating this national designation.

"Last year, Fairhaven became an official Purple Heart Town that Brad Fish, Veterans Service Officer for Fairhaven, initiated, and Brad was also instrumental in helping us in Acushnet get this started for 2023," stated James, a retired postal worker.

Following the ceremony, all are welcome to coffee and donuts at the Acushnet American Legion Post, located at 71 Hope Street. In case of rain, the commemoration will be at the post, starting at 10 a.m.

The purpose and meaning of a city or town being called a Purple Heart Community is to honor and remember the military awardees. The Purple Heart is our nation's oldest military medal, with more than 900 Purple Heart locations in the United States, esteeming the 1.6 million Purple Heart recipients.

LOOK: 100 years of American military history

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