Southern Utah University is Utahs First Purple Heart Campus
Published: June 16, 2016 | Author: Lexi Carter | Read Time: 2 minutes
The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 0802, has chosen Southern Utah University as the first university in Utah to be designated a Purple Heart Campus. The proclamation will be made official on June 24, 2016 at a special ceremony and signifies SUU’s recognition and honor of veterans who were wounded in combat while serving their country.
University President Scott L Wyatt is humbled and grateful that SUU is receiving this distinguished recognition.
“SUU is situated in a very patriotic community whose people have a long history of service to our country,” Wyatt said. “Honoring and supporting veterans is part of the culture at Southern Utah University and in Cedar City. We are honored to be the first university in Utah to be designated as a Purple Heart Campus.”
Southern Utah University has 385 student veterans, including several Purple Heart recipients, and a robust Veteran Center that supports and aids veteran success at SUU. With this designation, SUU joins an elite group of colleges across the country that have also received the proclamation of being a Purple Heart Campus.
SUU appreciates the sacrifices Purple Heart recipients have made in defending liberty and freedom. The university believes it is important to acknowledge veterans for their courage and show them the honor and support they have earned.
The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use and was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington in 1782. As the first American service award made available to the common soldier, The Military Order of the Purple Heart was formed in 1931 and remains the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization composed strictly of combat veterans.
The mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of goodwill among the combat-wounded veteran members and their families, promote patriotism, support legislative initiatives and most important- make sure we never forget.
In March of this year, Utah was officially designated a Purple Heart state following the 2016 Legislative Session where Davis County Rep. Mike Schultz sponsored a bill, House Joint Resolution 11, making the state proclamation.
An official ceremony will be held on June 24, 2016 at 11a.m. on the Hunter Conference Center patio. All are welcome to attend.
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