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BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA  
 
A PROCLAMATION 
PURPLE HEART WEEK 
 
WHEREAS: WHEREAS : WHEREAS: WHEREAS: WHEREAS: WHEREAS: THEREFORE: 
 
The order of the Purple Heart for Military Merit is a uniquely American decoration the oldest military honor in the world in present use and the first award made available to a common soldier; and 
On August 7, 1782, General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit in the figure of a heart in purple cloth and wrote that it was to be awarded "whenever any si ngularly meritorious action is performed." On February 22, 1932, it was designated the Purple Heart; and 
The Order of the Purple Heart is a combat decoration awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action; and 
The Military Order of the Purple Heart of the United States of America was charted by Congress on August 26, 1958 as the only organization of combat wounded veterans; and 
Georgia is home to more than 5,000 veterans and active duty military personnel who have been decorated by presentation of the Purple Heart Medal; and 
The blessings of freedom and democracy we enjoy today are the direct result of t he courage and sacrifice of generations of Americans, and the State of Georgia is proud to honor the recipients of the Order of the Purple Heart; now 
I, NATHAN DEAL, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby proclaim August 410, 2012 as PURPLE HEART WEEK in Georgia. 
In witness thereof , I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Sea l of the Executive Department to be affixed this 27th day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve. 
 
ATTEST 
 
GOVERNOR 
 
C HIEF O F S TAFF