November 10, 2006
By Deborah Tainsh

Having loved ones forgotten after their death is the greatest fear a family member carries. For our military families who have suffered the death of a loved one in combat or for those who are wounded in combat during service to this United States of America, there is now a place to preserve for future generations our loved one’s name, courage, and story.

Deborah talks with guests at the gift shop.

My husband and I were privileged to be among more than 1,000 invited guests for opening ceremonies of the new National Purple Heart Hall of Honor on November 10, 2006, at New Windsor, New York. Following words by Governor George Pataki and other dignitaries, I was honored to also speak and subsequently hold the first book signing at the museum’s gift shop. It was an honor to meet and speak with many veterans and other Blue and Gold Star family members.

The new National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located at the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site. This is the last encampment of the Continental Army where 7,000 ragtag troops, including 500 women and children (or “camp followers”), resided. A place where I could only close my eyes and imagine conversations between General Washington, the officers, and troops; where women cooked in black pots over a fire, washed laundry with bare hands; and where children gathered fire wood in winter and entertained one another with games created in the beautiful woodlands.

This location of great oaks, maples, and stone walls--where replicas of colonial weather worn cabins and meeting houses stand--is where General George Washington created the Badge of Merit in the shape of a heart on purple cloth, an award created for those who had shown outstanding bravery and dedication beyond the norm. Only three men are recorded to have received that badge.

The Purple Heart medal, based on the Badge of Merit, was created in 1932 to commemorate the bicentennial of George Washington’s birthday. Now, with a vision by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the history of the Purple Heart and the stories of the men and women of this nation who have sacrificed to uphold the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic will be cared for by the guardians of the museum and hall of honor.

At the museum one walks the concrete path to the doors of the cedar-sided 7,000 square foot structure that fits beautifully in its surrounding environment. Inside the doors the gift shop is to the left, and to the right a small, but compelling, room displays exhibits of the simple white cloth tent for shelter and sleep, and clothing of the soldier of the Continental Army. Here the history of the Badge of Merit is displayed along with the names of the three men who received it. The hall walls leading from just beyond the front door between the gift shop and exhibit room holds banners, chronologically, for each war or conflict where United States service members sacrificed. The banners also state the number of wounded or killed in action.

Beyond this, one enters the interactive room where computers and seating are located in cubicles. These computers hold the stories and photos of each Purple Heart recipient sent to the museum by veterans or family members of veterans or those killed. Areas also exist for students to come and learn about the meaning of the Purple Heart and gain a view of the importance of the men and women who have and will continue to sacrifice for their freedom and life in our great nation.

On the day of opening ceremonies, visitors experienced tastes of the past as they encountered those in period dress of colonial residents who struggled to survive there over two centuries ago while helping bring freedom for those who came after. The United States Military Academy Band and the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment Fife and Drum Corps provided music before the official military ceremony that included a firing party and Blackhawk flyover.

But the most impressive part of all that day was my and Dave’s serendipitous meeting of Command Sgt Major Patrick Douglas of the 1st Armored Division. He knew our son Patrick in Iraq. The Sgt Major, recently retired, and who had played his bagpipes at more than 70 ceremonies in Iraq, now, on November 10, in full kilt dress, played his pipes for the last time and then donated them as a part of history to be forever remembered in the new National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

Deborah talks with veterans at the dedication of the Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

I believe that the path to healing for military families is to find ways to always remember their loved ones and their own sacrifice, and the Purple Heart Hall of Honor offers this with open arms and hearts. I urge any family member or veteran who has a story of courage and sacrifice to leave for future generations to learn from, to do so through this amazing historical site. After all, remembering our loved ones through stories is the greatest honor we can provide them and a balm for our own broken hearts.

The modern Purple Heart medal is based on the Badge of Merit created by George Washington in 1782.