Honorary military event to be held at Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex

Hillsborough Townships residents are encouraged by the municipality to attend an honorary ceremony to salute the Military order of the Purple Heart.

The Annual Purple Heart Ceremony will be celebrated at the Garden of Honor on Aug. 7 on the grounds of the municipal complex, 379 South Branch Road.

The event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Municipal officials said the ceremony is to be held rain or shine.

The ceremony will be held rain or shine. Light refreshments will follow the ceremony.

“It is our honor to host this significant commemoration ceremony in honor of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. All Hillsborough residents are invited to attend the ceremony,” Hillsborough Township Mayor DelCore said in a statement.

The Purple Heart, the most recognized medal of the armed forces, is awarded to those serving in the armed forces that are injured or killed while serving in combat. It was originally introduced by George Washington as the Badge of Military Merit in 1782.

It is the oldest military award given to U.S. military members. A Purple Heart Monument was dedicated to the township at the first Purple Heart Ceremony on behalf of Chapter 27 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

The first annual ceremony was held at the township in 2012. The monument resides at the Garden of Honor.