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The purpose and meaning of a city/community to being called a Purple Heart City is to honor and remember military personnel wounded or killed in combat with hostile forces. The Purple Heart is specifically a combat decoration and it is our nation's oldest military medal. It was first created by General George Washington in 1782 and was then known as the Badge of Military Merit. It is the nation's oldest military medal.
This past Aug. 7 the city of Framingham's Memorial Building was illuminated with purple lights in honor of Purple Heart Day. These purple lights shone for one week to honor the brave men and women that were awarded the Purple Heart.
I was 11 years old in 1945 when I remember there was 13,800 wounded soldiers from all over New England being administered outstanding care at Cushing General U.S. Army Hospital on Dudley Road in Framingham. It was known as a “Place of Mercy.” It is now known as Cushing Memorial Park named after the WW I brain surgeon Dr. Harvey Cushing.
I strongly feel that it would be most fitting to have the city of Framingham, the city that “Opened Up its Heart” in 1944-46 during WW II, not only to acknowledge, but to be proud to join the growing list of Purple Heart Cities/Communities all over this United States. It is about time FRAMINGHAM! Let us awaken from our slumber. Let’s get it done.
SFC Nick Paganella
Framingham
U.S. Army (Ret)
Korean War Veteran