Declare Purple Heart State

Assembly Resolution No. 89 BY: M. of A. DenDekker MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim New York State as a Purple Heart State WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who have served so valiantly and honorably in our nation's wars, as well as in the preservation of peace in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and WHEREAS, Veterans have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their families and communities and placing themselves in harm's way for the good of all; and WHEREAS, Today, the Purple Heart Medal is the oldest military decoration in the world, and is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to members of the United States military who have been wounded or killed in action; and WHEREAS, On August 7, 1782, during the American Revolution, General George Washington issued an order establishing the Badge of Military Merit to honor merit, particularly among the enlisted soldiers; consisting of a heart made of purple cloth, the Badge of Military Merit was distinctive because it was open only to enlisted men; and WHEREAS, Although not continued after the American Revolution, the Badge of Military Merit was later renamed the Purple Heart and reinstated by the United States War Department, now the Department of Defense, on February 22, 1932, the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth; and WHEREAS, The Purple Heart has been awarded to nearly two million Americans who have been wounded in battle or killed in action; and WHEREAS, Many citizens of the State of New York have earned the Purple Heart Medal as a result of having been wounded while engaged in combat with an enemy force, which is recognized as a singularly meritorious act of essential service; and WHEREAS, Dedicated on August 6, 2004, the New York State Purple Heart Memorial located in Albany, New York, honors New Yorkers who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal, the oldest military decoration in the world; and WHEREAS, The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, located in New Windsor, New York, was dedicated on November 10, 2006; and WHEREAS, The Department of Defense announced a standard which allows for a more standard way to evaluate a wounded individual for a Purple Heart resulting from a "non-penetrating wound"; on February 6, 2015, the Department also proclaimed that eligibility has been extended to those wounded or killed by certain kinds of domestic terrorist activities; and WHEREAS, As Americans, it is our responsibility to ensure that our history is documented and reverence is given to our war heroes who served this great Nation; and WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a very high price for those serving in the military; it is fitting and proper that we, who are the beneficiaries of the courage of those who risk their lives, leaving their families behind, express our appreciation and eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and courageous acts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim New York State as a Purple Heart State; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York; Colonel Eric J. Hesse (Retired), Director of the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs; and Commander Scott Kyle, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Department of New York.