Purple Heart Memorial

18. June 2008, 13:44 UhrUncategorizedSite Administrator

Ceremony of the Afghanistan/Iraq War Memorial Portrait Mural

The Military Order Of the Purple Heat

Houston, Texas

June 7, 2008

Purple Heart
 The original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established by Gen. George Washington by order from his headquarters at Newburgh, N. Y., Aug. 7, 1782. Records indicate that the Purple Heart was awarded only three times during the Revolutionary War and was not awarded again until it was revived on Washington’s 200th birthday, Feb. 22, 1932.   Per United States Army regulations, the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died after being wounded.

CPL Dustin R. Donica, KIA December 28, 2006, OIF

Invitation

“ON BEHALF OF THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART, CHAPTER #723 We cordially invite you to attend the Dedication Ceremony of the Afghanistan/Iraq War Memorial Portrait Mural. This Ceremony will be held on Saturday, the Seventh of June, Two Thousand and Eight, at 12:00 noon at the Omni Houston Hotel Westside, 13210 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079. The Memorial Dedication will be to honor all the Military Fallen Veterans from the State of Texas who were killed in action in the Afghanistan/Iraq War.  Sadly, at present the number of Patriots killed in action from the State of Texas is 386. The concept of the Memorial Mural is that for the first time in history, the technology is now available to be able to create a Memorial Mural Wall that not only shows the Veteran’s full name but also his or her color portrait. For generations to come, not only will the names of the fallen Patriots, who paid the ultimate sacrifice, be inscribed, but also their portraits will be seen. Never before has this been possible, and the Memorial Mural Wall which will be dedicated at the Omni Houston Hotel Westside, as described above, will be the first of it’s kind in our great State.”

Afghanistan/Iraq War Memorial Portrait Mural

For Immediate Release

The portable Wall was constructed in panels so the unit could be taken down and transported. After the initial unveiling, the MOPH will transport the Wall to every town in Texas where a fallen heroes’ family resides. After Houston, Tx the Wall will be travelling to San Antonio, TX. The final and permanent destination will be the Rotunda of the State Capital in Austin, TX.

The Wall bears photographs etched on tile of the 386 Texans who were killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan as of 2007. Those killed since will be added at the end of the year.

“We all shed our blood on the world’s battlefields and it is only proper that we pay homage to those proud young Texas men and women who gave their all for America. A high price to pay for freedom,” said Cook (MOPH National Commander Henry Cook of Diamondhead, MS).

~  ~  ~

David and Judy Donica graciously accepted this kind invitation honoring the service and sacrifice of their son Dustin.  See the Texas Patriotic Guard Rider post regarding the tokens given to them at this event by a Southeast Texas PGR who rode for Dustin the day of his funeral on January 8, 2007.