President Donald Trump took time to honor 100 soldiers with a prestigious military honor, presenting each with a Purple Heart for their bravery and other acts of valor.
Speaking at the ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Thursday, Trump talked about how our country has been giving out the Purple Heart to brave members of our military since 1782, when General George Washington handed out the first ones, a heart-shaped purple cloth given to three soldiers for their courage.
President @realDonaldTrump holds a ceremony for Purple Heart recipients 💜🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/11LhfrYfH7
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) August 7, 2025
READ MORE: ‘No Autopen’: President Trump Proves to Be Totally Pro-Veteran With Latest Move
MORE: During Trump’s First 100 Days, Veterans Come First
Trump said on National Purple Heart Day, “We are here to celebrate the unyielding patriotism and grit and devotion to America’s Purple Heart veterans.”
On National Purple Heart Day, @POTUS honors Purple Heart recipients at the White House:
“Today, we give our everlasting thanks to you and your unbelievable families.” pic.twitter.com/a9bGKOKVoc
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 7, 2025
“Today, we give our everlasting thanks to you and your unbelievable families,” Trump said, recognizing not only the veterans but also their families. “Every Purple Heart tells a story of courage, sacrifice, and purpose … Those who wear this medal ran into bullets, faced ferocious bombs, and shed their blood on the field of battle.”
.@POTUS: “Every Purple Heart tells a story of courage, sacrifice and purpose … Those who wear this medal ran into bullets, faced ferocious bombs and shed their blood on the field of battle … We will always use them as an example of bravery, and courage, and strength.” https://t.co/5GLh7tLr7h pic.twitter.com/CsrkDZjM59
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 7, 2025
“We will always use them as an example of bravery, and courage, and strength,” he added. “And we will always think, when we look at them, of our great American flag.”
At the end of the event, Trump signed the official proclamation declaring August 7, 2025, “National Purple Heart Day.”
Three recipients at the Thursday event, Gerald Enter Jr., John Ford, and Thomas Matteo, sent their Purple Heart medals to Trump in 2024, following the assassination attempt on the president’s life at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania:
Trump, in the East Room right now, says one Purple Heart recipient mailed his military decoration to the president following the assassination attempt in Butler, PA. @DailyCaller
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) August 7, 2025
The entire list of Purple Heart recipients can be found here. It includes father and son, Kevin Willette and Brian Willette, who both received the Purple Heart for their service in Afghanistan.
The USA Today report linked above went on:
In addition, military specialist Kevin Jensen, who pulled fellow Purple Heart recipient Capt. Sam Brown from a Humvee in Afghanistan that was hit by an explosive device, will be honored. Brown last week was confirmed by the Senate as Trump’s under secretary for memorial affairs in the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Today we honor the brave
The Purple Heart is the oldest military award and one of the most prestigious the U.S. bestows upon its service members.
On Purple Heart Day, we pause to honor and remember the bravery and sacrifice of our wounded and fallen heroes.
Semper Fidelis pic.twitter.com/rxUFvfm1fq
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) August 7, 2025
ALSO: Secretary of the Army Pins Medals on Troops Who Stopped Fort Stewart Shooter
President Trump recently made good on another campaign promise to take care of our veterans when he signed into law the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, designed to help those who have served our country buy and keep their homes, hopefully putting an end to veteran homelessness, RedState reported. Republican Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden originally introduced it:
“I’m thrilled to sign the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act into law… This legislation provides desperately-needed relief to veterans and their families who have fallen behind on their mortgages,” Trump said. “It helps keep our promise to end veteran homelessness. We’re going to do that for America. We’re going to do that for our great veterans.”
“An estimated 61,000 American veterans are in danger of losing their homes … but thanks to this bill, the @DeptVetAffairs will be empowered to pay loan holders the necessary amount to prevent foreclosures on our veterans,” he added. “So our veterans won’t be foreclosed and put out on the streets.”
“This bill also creates a five-year partial claim program that could benefit up to 3.7 million veterans. And will add nothing to debt,” Trump continued, noting that the bill passed unanimously in the House and the Senate.
Editor’s Note: The headline for this article was updated post-publication to better reflect the significance of the Purple Heart.
Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership, the warrior ethos is coming back to America’s military.
Help us report on Trump and Hegesth’s successes as they make our military great again. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.
