Florida Recognizes August 7 as Purple Heart Day
Governor’s proclamation honors Purple Heart recipients and recognizes the service and sacrifice of Florida’s combat-wounded veterans
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — August 7, 2026 — Florida is observing Florida Purple Heart Day today, honoring the men and women who have received one of the nation’s oldest and most revered military decorations.
Governor Ron DeSantis issued a proclamation recognizing August 7, 2026, as Florida Purple Heart Day and encouraging Floridians to honor the state’s Purple Heart recipients, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms.
The Purple Heart traces its history to August 7, 1782, when General George Washington established the Badge of Military Merit. According to the proclamation, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor estimates that more than 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded to American service members since 1782.
Florida formally established August 7 as Florida Purple Heart Day through legislation unanimously passed by the Florida Legislature in 2012. The day recognizes recipients of the nation’s oldest military award given to combat-wounded veterans.
The proclamation also highlights Florida’s continuing commitment to Purple Heart recipients. Among the benefits recognized are undergraduate tuition waivers at state universities and colleges for eligible Purple Heart recipients and recipients of certain other combat-related decorations, as well as similar waivers at state career and technical training facilities.
Florida’s recognition of Purple Heart veterans extends throughout the state. The proclamation notes that more than 9,198 Purple Heart license plates have been issued to eligible Florida recipients. The Military Order of the Purple Heart has also designated Florida as a Purple Heart State, with 41 counties and 96 cities designated as Purple Heart Counties and Cities.
For The American Legion, Department of Florida, Purple Heart Day provides another opportunity to recognize veterans whose military service came at a profound personal cost.
“Purple Heart Day reminds us that behind this decoration are men and women who shed blood in service to our country,” said Stuart Scott, Legislative Chair for The American Legion, Department of Florida. “We encourage our Legionnaires, Posts, families, and communities across Florida to honor our Purple Heart recipients and remember the sacrifices they made to defend the freedoms we enjoy.”
The American Legion, Department of Florida, joins Floridians across the state in saluting all Purple Heart recipients and remembering those who gave their lives in service to our nation.
For God and Country.
