August 7 has been nationally recognized as National Purple Heart Day. On a drizzly Monday morning, several community members gathered to honor local Purple Heart recipients.
The National Purple Heart Day ceremony was held on the Texas Tech campus at Memorial Circle. That’s where Purple heart recipients, their families and friends met to honor the nearly 70 local recipients who represent the Lubbock area and Texas Tech University.
The annual event was put on by the Texas Tech Military & Veterans Programs (MVP) and the local Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 0900. Director of the MVP, Lou Ortiz and Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec spoke at the ceremony, as well as Christopher Beck, adjutant of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 0900
Beck who is a Texas Tech graduate and Purple Heart recipient shared that it’s “overwhelming” to see community members come to the event. Because Texas Tech also happens to be Texas’ first ever Purple Heart University, Beck shared why it was especially important that the event was held at Memorial Circle.
“That means they got a lot of pride for our military, especially our wounded military, and those that have gone before and those who are still here and paid the ultimate sacrifice. We bled for our country and we’re trying to move on and make something of ourselves and you know, it means a lot,” said Beck. “It means a lot that Tech’s taken that pride, Red Raiders they have pride for their school.”
Beck said he hopes events like this will encourage more Purple Heart recipients to become a member with the Military Order of the Purple Heart. To become involved, visit their website here.
The university’s Purple Heart Flag, which is actually the nation’s biggest Purple Heart flag, will fly all day on campus. Students or community members interested in getting involved with the MVP are encouraged to visit their website to get started.
Eric Crouch, managing director of Texas Tech Transportation and Parking Services, announced a campus Purple Heart initiative currently in the works that will add more parking spaces for Purple Heart recipients who need to visit campus for events or for class.
This was the event’s second year running, organizers say they hope to see it grow bigger with each year.