Purple Heart Day Ceremony takes place at Virginia War Memorial

Aug 7, 2025 - 21:25

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Purple Heart Day Ceremony takes place at Virginia War Memorial

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) hosted a ceremony on Thursday to honor recipients of the medal at the Virginia War Memorial.

The Purple Heart Day Ceremony took place on Aug. 7 -- National Purple Heart Day -- starting at 11 a.m. at the Virginia War Memorial, to honor those who have received America's oldest military award, according to a release from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS).

Purple Heart Day Ceremony (Photo: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

8News had the chance to speak with James Cuthbertson, a retired U.S. Army Captain and a Purple Heart recipient himself, about what the medal means to him.

"The purple heart is a medal that no one really wants," Cuthbertson said. "But those that get it are honored because of their faithfulness to their oath of service for this country."

Although historically, a Purple Heart was awarded for somewhat different reasons, modern-day veterans receive the medal for combat-related injuries or for meritorious service during military conflicts, a ceremony program read.

Purple Heart Day Ceremony (Photo: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

"It's important to recognize the soldiers, airmen, sailors who shed their blood in support of [and] in defense of freedom in this country, overseas, in World War II, World War I," Cuthbertson said. "We have a phrase -- that all gave some, but some gave all."