Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson will host a special ceremony at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 10 a.m. in observance of National Purple Heart Day. The iconic landmark will be illuminated in purple to honor the courage, sacrifice and resilience of Purple Heart recipients who were wounded or killed in action while serving in the U.S. armed forces.

“Every purple light on this sign is a tribute to the men and women who bled for our freedom,” said Commissioner Gibson. “Clark County stands with our Purple Heart recipients and the families who supported them through it all.”

“The Purple Heart is America's oldest military decoration and represents the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who were wounded or gave their lives in defense of our nation,” said Vincent Palmieri Jr., commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 711 – Greater Las Vegas, and national director of suicide awareness for the Military Order of the Purple Heart USA. “Seeing the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign illuminated in purple is a powerful reminder that our community honors those sacrifices—not just on National Purple Heart Day, but every day.”

The Purple Heart is the oldest U.S. military decoration still in use today. It was established by Gen. George Washington on Aug. 7, 1782, as the Badge of Military Merit and was revived in 1932 to honor service members wounded or killed in action. National Purple Heart Day is observed annually on Aug. 7.