In 2017, former Mayor Linda Kavanagh and Governor Doug Ducey each proclaimed the Town of Fountain Hills and the State of Arizona, respectively, as a Purple Heart Community and State. Purple Heart Day is officially honored on August 7 of each year.

Official “Purple Heart Community” signage is on display on Shea Boulevard, near the Palisades Boulevard intersection, and also at the north entrance into Fountain Hills, from Rio Verde. These signs commemorate the town’s designation as a Purple Heart Community. There are also several Purple Heart parking signs located throughout the town, designated for the convenience and use of Purple Heart recipients.

On Tuesday, April 16, at the Town Council meeting, Mayor Ginny Dickey proclaimed every Tuesday as Purple Heart Tuesday, “to honor and show recognition for the service and sacrifice of American servicemen and servicewomen who are Purple Heart recipients, by designating this Tuesday and all future Tuesdays in Fountain Hills as Purple Heart Tuesday.”

Purple Heart Tuesday supporter wristbands will first be available on Memorial Day, May 27, at the Fountain Hills Veterans Memorial as a visible way for residents to show their gratitude and recognition. Additional promotions will be planned throughout the year. The wristbands are sponsored by the closest local Chapter 2560 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. All donations received will be used to assist all local veterans in need.

In addition, on Purple Heart Day, August 7, 2019, the Fountain Hills Veterans Memorial Committee will be planning, with the host Marine Corps League Detachment 1439, a Purple Heart Day Recognition ceremony, to be held indoors at the Fountain Hills Community Center.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart, chartered by Congress in 1932, is composed of military men and women who received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat.

Although membership is restricted to the combat wounded, the group supports all veterans and their families with a myriad of nationwide programs by Chapters and National Service Officers.

For their sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. This is the U.S. Military’s oldest decoration, given to those who are wounded or killed while fighting in the nation’s wars and to military members who have suffered maltreatment as a prisoner of war.

It is a day set aside to honor the wounded and fallen veterans of the United States.

The mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) is to foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans, promote patriotism, support necessary legislative initiatives, and most importantly, provide service to all veterans and their families.

The MOPH and its Auxiliary promote patriotism, fraternalism, and the preservation of America's military history. Most importantly, through veteran service, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance.

Programs of the MOPH include VA Volunteer Service, JROTC Leadership Awards, Scholarships, Suicide Awareness, Americanism, Purple Heart Trail and Cities, Welfare, and numerous community service programs, all with the objective of service to Veterans and their families.

To learn more visit purpleheart.org.