Mayor Lenny Curry issued a proclamation declaring Aug. 7, 2017 as Purple Heart Day in Jacksonville.

The annual event honors the brave men and women of the U.S. armed forces who were wounded or killed in combat. 

The Purple Heart is the nation's oldest military decoration. A version was given out by General George Washington to members of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Since it's restablishment by President Herbert Hoover in 1932, nearly 2 million have been awarded. 



See more photos from the Purple Heart Day observance on the City's Flickr page