Purple Heart Hall of Honor to Receive Upgrades

NEW WINDSOR – The state is kicking in $10 million to upgrade the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor.

The Purple Heart medal is awarded to those who have been killed or wounded by enemy action.

The funding will pay for a new wing with enhanced and interactive exhibits and galleries, improved pedestrian circulation throughout the building, public gathering space, increased programming, a redesigned entrance, improved accessibility, native landscaping, more parking and walkway improvements.

William Nazario, New York Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, was glad to hear the news.

“I love it, I want it, I don’t think that it’s largest enough to honor our Purple Heart recipients,” Nazario said.

Brian Maher, the executive director of the National Hall of Honor, Inc., anticipated the project will draw more visitors.

“It will likely improve the space as is and create a more of a modern feel and look with modern displays, something that will draw visitors, not just Purple Heart recipients, but the general public as well,” Maher said.

The Hall of Honor is the first in the nation dedicated to commemorating the sacrifices of the estimated 1.8 million recipients of this award.

The Purple Heart Hall is located on the same ground were both during the final months of the American Revolutionary War and in 1932 when he first Purple Heart medals were awarded to 137 local World War I vets.

State Senator William Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson), a retired lieutenant colonel in the US Army, was one of the leaders in establishing the hall some 20 years ago.

“Our mission at that time was to provide a place of solace and reflection for America’s Purple Heart recipient and Gold Star families,” Larkin said. “With this new expansion we will build on our current foundation and continue to appropriately honor those veterans who sacrificed so much for our country, as well as their families.”