David Kolbe, a veteran living in Howard and Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, said Purple Heart Day on Aug. 7 is an important time to remember veterans.
Although Kolbe himself is not a recipient, he said he served with many wounded warriors and has helped many veterans since who have received the Purple Heart.
“I'm a Vietnam veteran,” Kolbe told the Mount Vernon News. “I spent my 18th birthday in Vietnam in 1969 and the amount of Purple Hearts and people that were wounded and killed, there was, of course, an extremely high, high, high rate.”
“The men and women that served in the armed forces that received the Purple Heart should be honored above all, next to the ones who gave their lives. They were injured. They carry those scars for life, and it was to save our democracy.”
Kolbe has dedicated his life to public service, serving as a firefighter and elected official. He has advocated for veterans' rights and helped veterans, including Purple Heart recipients, transition into civilian life through various initiatives, including Helmets to Hardhats.
The Purple Heart Award is the oldest American military decoration, originally known as the Badge of Military Merit, awarded by General George Washington during the American Revolution.
It is given to those wounded or killed in battle, and it was the first military award that could be given to soldiers of any rank. Over the years, it has evolved to include eligibility for those injured or killed in terrorist attacks, and it is issued automatically when the criteria are met, setting it apart from other military commendations.
The Purple Heart is distinct among military awards, as it is automatically issued when the criteria are met, unlike others that require application or petition.
Service members are eligible to receive multiple Purple Hearts throughout their careers, as demonstrated by Curry T. Haynes, who received 10 Purple Hearts during his service in the Army during the Vietnam War.
U.S. President John F. Kennedy, uncle of current Democratic Party presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is the sole president to have received the Purple Heart for his actions during World War II, where he displayed remarkable courage and dedication to saving his crew despite sustaining a back injury in a naval collision.
