The Town of Belmont formally received its Certificate of Recognition as a Purple Heart Community in 2016. The Military Order of the Purple Heart awards this designation to municipalities, schools, and other entities committed to honoring and commemorating Purple Heart Medal recipients and their families.
Belmont joins more than 900 municipalities, cities, and counties nationwide in recognizing those wounded or killed in combat. Official Purple Heart Day is observed annually on August 7th, commemorating the day in 1782 when General George Washington commissioned the first Purple Heart Medal, originally called the Badge of Military Merit. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. military.