Purple Heart Memorial, Raleigh
The Purple Heart Memorial is a red and pink granite tablestone style marker with a lectern top on a single base. On the front left half of the marker a Purple Heart Medal has been incised around which appear the words: 1782 MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART 1932. This particular memorial is likely one of the earliest if not the first of this series placed in North Carolina as later versions include the inscription from Shakespeare’s “Henry V” to his “Band of Brothers” on the base.
Lectern top: DEDICATED TO ALL MEN AND WOMEN / WOUNDED IN ALL OUR WARS
Front, right half: MY STONE IS RED / FOR THE BLOOD THEY SHED / THE MEDAL I BEAR / IS MY COUNTRY’S WAY / TO SHOW THEY CARE. / IF I COULD BE SEEN / BY ALL MANKIND / MAYBE PEACE WILL / COME IN MY LIFETIME
Front, left half around Purple Heart: [Vertical] COMBAT / [Horizontal] VETERANS / [Vertical] WOUNDED
Front bottom: ERECTED BY DEPT. OF NORTH CAROLINA / MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART
State of North Carolina
August 7, 2004
35.783000 , -78.640070
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“History of the Medal,” Military Order of the Purple Heart, purpleheart.org, (accessed November 29, 2020) Link
"Purple Heart Memorial, Raleigh," The American Legion, legion.org, (accessed June 23, 2021) Link
“George Washington Creates the Purple Heart,” History.com, (accessed December 4, 2016) Link
“Raleigh Memorial Salutes Purple Heart Recipients,” News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), August 8, 2004, 6B
Yes
Red and pink granite
Department of North Carolina Military Order of the Purple Heart
Approximately $6,500
The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the United States who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration but is also awarded to mistreated prisoners of war. Purple Heart Day is recognized on August 7 which is the day in 1782 that General George Washington created the “Badge for Military Merit” that evolved into the Purple Heart.
The organization known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart," was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Composed exclusively of Purple Heart recipients, it is the only veterans service organization comprised strictly of “combat” veterans. Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapters across the county are placing memorial to honor those wounded in battle. Almost identical memorials have been placed in North Carolina in Camp Lejeune, Wilson, Mint Hill, and other locations.
The memorial is located on the 200 block of N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC, on the grounds of the N.C. State Administration Building. Directly across the street is the North Carolina Legislature building.
The marker stands under two mature trees a short distance from the street. A brick walk lined with low shrubs leads to the memorial
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