From the desk of Jan Hommel, Museum Director:

On Saturday, August 29, 2015, the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) will recognize the American Freedom Museum as a “Purple Heart Business.” Nick Sciarrini, Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 1935 Tyler, will present the award and proclamation in a ceremony to be held at the Museum. This will be the first time a Museum has been recognized as a “Purple Heart Museum” in Texas and possibly the United States.

By receiving this award and designation as a “Purple Heart Museum”, the American Freedom Museum pledges its continuing mission to pay tribute to Purple Heart recipients who were wounded or killed in combat while defending the very freedoms that make this nation so great. The Museum has a proud tradition of supporting and honoring our Nation’s veterans, active duty military, Guards, Reserves, and their families. Its mission to Honor, Educate and Inspire continues to provide opportunities and events for citizens in the East Texas area to show their appreciation for the sacrifices of our military men and women, to acknowledge their courage and to show them the honor and support they have earned.

The media and the public are invited to attend a historic and patriotic ceremony that will take place on Saturday, August 29th at the American Freedom Museum, which is located on the campus of The Brook Hill School in Bullard, Texas. The afternoon event will begin with free admission to the Museum from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. for those that will be attending the ceremony. In a brief ceremony at 5:00 p.m. the Military Order of the Purple Heart will recognize the American Freedom Museum as a Purple Heart supporting business. Museum founder, Stephen Dement, will accept the Proclamation on behalf of the American Freedom Museum and pledge its continued mission to honor veterans and military men and women who were killed or wounded on the battlefield in defense of this great nation.

Attending the ceremony will be State and City officials, representatives of various Veteran Service Organizations and members of many East Texas Communities.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) began in 1932 and was chartered by Congress in 1958. It is composed of military men and women who received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat. Although their membership is restricted to the combat wounded, MOPH provides support to all veterans. Most importantly, through veteran service, they provide comfort and assistance to all veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Programs of the MOPH include VA Volunteer Service, First Responder Recognition, JROTC Leadership Award, Scholarships, Americanism, Purple Heart Trail and Cities, Welfare, and numerous community service programs, all with the objective of service to Veterans and their families. MOPH has a long heritage that began with General Washington giving three of his soldiers a Badge of Military Merit, a cloth purple heart, during the Revolutionary War and continues today as they recognize, honor and support all veterans from each of America’s wars.