WEST POINT – The commemorative Purple Heart coins will be available for purchase effective tomorrow (Thursday, February 24) at 12 noon.
The coins, struck at the West Point Mint, have been a long time in the coming, said Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.), executive director of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
“First advocate that our nation’s combat wounded and killed in action deserved a coin in their honor and then to go through the entire process of getting Congress to approve a coin and then getting to the point to where they are actually being minted is a great achievement and a quote fitting tribute to these Purple Heart heroes,” he said.
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY-18) was the driving force behind the creation of the Purple Heart coin series.
The Badge of Military Merit, the predecessor to the Purple Heart Medal, was first issued by General George Washington while stationed in the City of Newburgh.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, operated by the state, is located just a few miles away in New Windsor.
