President Donald Trump honored nearly 100 United States service members who were wounded or killed in action during a National Purple Heart Day event at the White House.
“We’re here to honor and celebrate the unyielding patriotism and grit and devotion to America’s Purple Heart veterans,” said Trump, who spoke from the East Room on Thursday. “The Purple Heart dates back to Aug. 7, 1782, that’s a long time, when Gen. George Washington awarded a heart-shaped purple cloth to three soldiers for outstanding gallantry and service in battle.”
“Just as Gen. Washington did 243 years ago today, we give our everlasting thanks to you and your unbelievable families. We want to thank you very much for being here,” Trump continued.
Several Cabinet members, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, attended the event. “She’s got a lot of interesting things happening. Keep it coming, Tulsi. Keep it coming,” Trump said of Gabbard.
The president even singled out his former campaign adviser, Chris LaCivita, among the Purple Heart recipients who were honored.
Trump also repeated his vow to end veteran homelessness and bragged about signing the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, which ensured military veterans aren’t kicked out of their homes for late rental payments.
“In May, I signed an executive order to open the National Center for Warrior Independence in Los Angeles, California, which will house up to 6,000 homeless vets. It’s going to be beautiful,” Trump also said to applause.
Trump thanked three veterans in attendance who gave the president their Purple Heart badges last year following the Butler, Pennsylvania, assassination attempt.
“Gerald, John, and Thomas, I want to thank you very much. What a great honor to get those Purple Hearts,” said Trump. “I guess in a certain way it wasn’t that easy for me either, when you think of it, but you went through a lot more than I did.”
