17 Purple Heart recipients to be honored this year
Photo: Last year’s event emcee, Tony Sandoval of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, far left, asks the Purple Heart recipients in the room to stand during the 2024 ceremony, held at the Pybus Public Market.
For the second consecutive year, the community will come together on Aug. 7 to pay tribute to 17 local recipients of the Purple Heart, a military service decoration that honors men and women who have been wounded or died in combat. This year’s honorees served in U.S. military conflicts ranging from World War I to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The ceremony is 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Wenatchee Veterans Hall, 1206 N. Wenatchee Ave. The second annual event is organized by the Chelan County Veterans Program. The event will include the Presentation of Colors by Wenatchee Valley VFW Post 3617 and American Legion Post 10. Light refreshments will be served.
“Last year’s event – the first for our region – was very moving,” said John Tamngin, Chelan County Veterans Services officer. “Seeing and talking to a veteran with Purple Heart medal is such a great honor and privilege because there is at least an equal number of medal recipients who did not live to receive it.”
A call in June for names of local veterans, either living or deceased, who received a Purple Heart garnered 17 applications from around Chelan and Douglas counties. The names of the 2025 honorees will be inscribed along with the 2024 honorees on a plaque and hung on the Hall of Honor at the Chelan County Veterans Services Office.
The Purple Heart, originally called the Badge of Military Merit but later renamed in 1932, is the oldest military decoration in present use. It is the first American Service award of decoration made available to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been wounded or died in combat. In 1991, the state Legislature passed Senate Bill 5718, recognizing Aug. 7 as a day to pay tribute to those who hold the distinction of having been awarded the Purple Heart.
Last year, Chelan and Douglas counties and the cities of East Wenatchee and Wenatchee signed proclamations declaring the individual entities Purple Heart counties or cities. New this year, the cities of Chelan and Waterville will be joining in the distinctions with their own Purple Heart City proclamations.
A Purple Heart City or County is one that officially recognizes recipients of the Purple Heart. Each municipality can notify the Purple Heart Trail organization so the communities can be listed on its website. In addition, local jurisdictions will be installing road signs, marking the designation. The road signs, paid for by American Legion Post 10, will be installed later this year at the entrances to each of the counties and cities.
Last Updated: 07/21/2025 01:12 PM
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.
The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.
The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.
The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.