TRANSCRIPT: President Trump Vlog: National Purple Heart Day, 8.7.26
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President Trump: Today, on National Purple Heart Day, we express our tremendous gratitude to every American warrior and veteran who has received the Purple Heart, a great honor. The Purple Heart goes back 244 years, to when General George Washington gave three gallant patriots of the War for Independence a purple cloth for their bravery.
It was a very big deal at the time, and it's even bigger now. Today, this decoration commemorates the courage, sacrifice, and grit of men and women from every service who have given their flesh and blood -- and even their lives -- in defense of our nation, and our beautiful American flag. Nearly 2 million Americans have received the Purple Heart for their sacrifice in the line of duty, and on this special occasion, our nation proudly says thank you to these immortal American heroes.
Two years ago, after an assassin tried to take my life in Butler, Pennsylvania, I was deeply moved at how Purple Heart recipients from across the country kindly sent me their own Purple Heart ribbons. It was so unbelievable. That included ribbons from war heroes, including Navy veteran Daniel Peterson, Army veteran John Ford, who was wounded three times, and Marine Corps veteran Thomas Mateo, who was wounded six times.
These cherished ribbons were earned by our brave warriors through valor on battlefields all over the world. Today, they are displayed outside the Oval Office, in the West Wing of the White House in honor of the courage that keeps America safe and free. Our country could not exist without those patriots willing to shed their blood for all of us.
Today, we say God bless them, God bless our military, and God bless the United States of America. Thank you.