Chapter 776 MOPH

CHAPTER PURPOSE

To preserve the proud legacy of the Purple Heart Medal.

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MEETINGS

Chapter meetings are at 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of January, March, May July, September and November

at the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, 915 N. Suncoast Blvd. (U.S. 19), Crystal River.

Note: Location is a change as of July, 2025.

Local Business Support

The Citrus County Veterans Foundation (CCVF) extends its gratitude to the following local businessesthat donated to the Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart/Citrus County Tax Collector Spring fundraising campaign in support of the CCVF's mission of providing financial assistance to Citrus County veterans and their surviving spouse in urgent financial need.

Love Dealerships: $500.00

Nick Nicholas Ford: $250.00

Arrow RV: $150.00

Badge of Military Merit - The History of

The Purple Heart Medal

At his headquarters in Newburgh, New York, on August 7, 1782, General George Washington devised two new badges of distinction for enlisted men and noncommissioned officers.

To signify loyal military service, he ordered a chevron to be worn on the left sleeve of the uniform coat for the rank and file who had completed three years of duty "with bravery, fidelity, and good conduct"; two chevrons signified six years of service.

The second badge, for "any singularly meritorious Action," was the "Figure of a Heart in Purple Cloth or Silk edged with narrow Lace or Binding." This device, the Badge of Military Merit, was affixed to the uniform coat above the left breast and permitted its wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge and to have his name and regiment inscribed in a Book of Merit.

The Badge specifically honored the lower ranks, where decorations were unknown in contemporary European Armies. As Washington intended, the road to glory in a patriot army is thus open to all."

Pre-WW2 Awards: The Purple Heart as we know it today was reestablished in 1932 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington.

The original criteria for award of the Purple Heart as published in the War Department Circular No. 6 of February 22, 1932 states that the medal be awarded to anyone serving in the Army who had received combat-related injuries or had received the AEF's Meritorious Service Citation Certificate during WWI, the latter criteria harkening back to the intent of George Washington's "Badge of Military Merit".

WWII Awards: In April 1942 the War Department amended its policy regarding the issuance of the Purple Heart. The new regulations authorized the posthumous award of the Purple Heart retroactive to December 7, 1941, and eliminated the use of the medal as a merit award.

This book was written by Nancy Weaver Dalton, who is the widow of Arron A. Weaver.Chapter 776 was named in his honor.He is a true American hero.

It’s the perfect book to order for the holidays.The link below will take you to Amazon, where you can order it for $10.59.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER

AMERICAN SOLDIER

Purple Heart motorcycle license plate

Thanks to the personal initiative and persistent determination of Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart Patriot Glenn Beaulieu, the Florida Legislature passed legislation (HB 1135) during the 2020 legislative session that was enacted into law by Governor Ron DeSantis authorizing a Purple Heart license plate for motorcycles owned by Purple Heart recipients, effective January 1, 2021. The Purple Heart motorcycle license plate now joins the Purple Heart vehicle license plate that has been available to Purple Heart recipients for over two decades.

The Purple Heart motorcycle license plate for Purple Heart recipients is available for purchase at County Tax Collector offices. Until then, Purple Heart recipients can obtain the Purple Heart motorcycle license plate directly from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).

Go to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website at www.flhsmv.gov

If you already have a motorcycle license plate, click on 83146: Application for Replacement License Plate, Validation Decal or Parking Permit, complete, print and sign.

If you do not already have a motorcycle license plate, click on83034:Application for Military Service Related License Plate, complete, print and sign.

Mail the completed and signed applicable form 83034: Application for Military Service Related License Plate or 83146: Application for Replacement License Plate, Validation Decal or Parking Permit) with a copy of your DD 214 or Official Orders attesting to the awarding of your Purple Heart and a check made payable to FLHSMV in the amount of $36.90 to:

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Direct Mail

2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS #72

Tallahassee, Florida 32399

The Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018

Do you know how it can effect you?

Click here for more info.

It's official; DD-214s are now online. Please pass on to other vets.

The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the

following website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214s online.

Click here to go to web site.

ThePurple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. 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. It is specifically a combat decoration.

Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776

Military Order of the Purple Heart

P.O. Box 1345

Lecanto, FL 34460-1345