Dear Veterans Services Friends,

First and foremost, all of us at the American Heritage Museum in Hudson, MA want to thank you for your incredible support during our first six years of operation. Since opening in May 2019, our mission has been to honor all who have served in the defense of our nation—from its founding, through the major conflicts at home and abroad, to the modern battlefields of today. We envisioned a place where veterans of all generations would feel welcomed and at home, where visitors could meet them, hear their stories, and gain a deeper understanding of their service. The warm and enthusiastic response from the New England veterans community—despite the challenges of the pandemic—has been truly humbling. We are grateful to all of you who have visited, encouraged others to visit, and helped us grow.

I’m writing today to ask for your help in spreading the word about a very special event. As part of our World War II Tank Demonstration Weekend, we will host a Purple Heart Remembrance Ceremony on Sunday, August 17th at 12:00 noon. We invite all Purple Heart recipients—and those who hold a Purple Heart in remembrance of a fallen veteran—to join us free of charge that day. This will be a moving honor ceremony followed by a group photo to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Full details are available here:
https://www.americanheritagemuseum.org/2025/08/a-half-million-purple-hearts-help-us-honor-all-purple-heart-recipients-on-august-17-2025/

Many people do not realize that the United States produced nearly 1.5 million Purple Hearts during WWII, anticipating the immense casualties expected during the planned invasion of Japan. After the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Japan’s surrender on August 15, 1945, nearly half a million Purple Hearts were left unused. It would take almost 70 years for this surplus to be awarded—through Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War conflicts, the Gulf War, and most of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In a very real sense, nearly every Purple Heart awarded since WWII is connected to that moment in history 80 years ago.

How you can help:
We hope to welcome as many Purple Heart recipients and holders as possible on August 17th, and we would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word throughout your communities. Please feel free to share this event via your email lists, newsletters, and social media. Here are useful links to assist you:

• Purple Heart Ceremony and Photo on August 17^th at the American Heritage Museum – https://www.americanheritagemuseum.org/2025/08/a-half-million-purple-hearts-help-us-honor-all-purple-heart-recipients-on-august-17-2025/
• World War II Tank Demonstration Weekend – August 16-17, 2025 (event that the ceremony is part of) – https://www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/wwii-tank-demonstration-weekend-august-2025/
• Facebook Event Listing for the Purple Heart Remembrance Ceremony – https://www.facebook.com/events/4186001628303703/
• The American Heritage Museum Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/americanheritagemuseum

Thank you in advance for helping us honor these extraordinary veterans. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or if there are other ways we can support you and your organizations in the future.

With gratitude,

Ryan Keough

Vice President, Institutional Advancement
American Heritage Museum & Collings Foundation, Inc.