Documenting the American South

Doc South header logo Home
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes banner

Source:  Purple Heart Memorial, Mint Hill. Photo courtesy of Rusty Long

  • Monument Name

    Purple Heart Memorial, Mint Hill

  • Type

    Marker

  • Subjects

    Veterans of Multiple Wars

  • City

    Mint Hill

  • County

    Mecklenburg

  • Description

    The Purple Heart Memorial is a red and pink granite tablestone style marker with a lectern top on a single base. On the front left half of the marker a Purple Heart Medal has been incised around which appear the words: 1782 MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART 1932. The base inscription is from Shakespeare’s “Henry V” to his “Band of Brothers.”

    Images: Far-off view

  • Inscription

    Lectern top: DEDICATED TO ALL MEN AND WOMEN / WOUNDED IN ALL OUR WARS Front, right half: MY STONE IS RED / FOR THE BLOOD THEY SHED / THE MEDAL I BEAR / IS MY COUNTRY’S WAY / TO SHOW THEY CARE. / IF I COULD BE SEEN / BY ALL MANKIND / MAYBE PEACE WILL / COME IN MY LIFETIME

    Front, left half around Purple Heart: [Vertical] COMBAT / [Horizontal] VETERANS / [Vertical] WOUNDED

    Front bottom: ERECTED BY CHAPTER #634 MILITARY ORDER OF THE / PURPLE HEART AND TOWN OF MINT HILL

    Base: WE FEW, WE HAPPY FEW, WE BAND OF BROTHERS / FOR HE TO-DAY THAT SHEDS HIS BLOOD WITH ME / SHALL BE MY BROTHER

  • Custodian

    Town of Mint Hill Parks and Recreation

  • Dedication Date

    May 28, 2016

  • Decade

    2010s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    35.178920 , -80.633660 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Series

    The Purple Heart Memorial

  • Supporting Sources

      “History of the Medal,” Military Order of the Purple Heart, purpleheart.org, (accessed November 29, 2020) Link

      "Purple Heart Memorial, Mint Hill," The American Legion, legion.org, (accessed June 23, 2021) Link

      “George Washington Creates the Purple Heart,” History.com, (accessed December 4, 2016) Link

      “Purple Heart Memorial Coming to Mint Hill,” Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly (Charlotte, NC) November 2, 2012

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Red and pink granite

  • Sponsors

    Chapter 634 Military Order of the Purple Heart and Town of Mint Hill

  • Monument Cost

    $6,500

  • Subject Notes

    The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the United States who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration but is also awarded to mistreated prisoners of war. Purple Heart Day is recognized on August 7 which is the day in 1782 that General George Washington created the “Badge for Military Merit” that evolved into the Purple Heart.

    The organization known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart," was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Composed exclusively of Purple Heart recipients, it is the only veterans service organization comprised strictly of “combat” veterans. Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapters across the county are placing memorial to honor those wounded in battle. Almost identical memorials have been placed in North Carolina in Raleigh, Wilson, Camp Lejeune, and other locations.

  • Location

    The marker is located on a walkway to the right of the North Carolina Korean War Memorial at the Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park, 8850 Fairview Road in Mint Hill, NC.

  • Landscape

    The memorial is surrounded by flowering fruit trees.

Icon for reporting missing/incorrect information Know anything else about this monument that isn't mentioned here? If you have additional information on this or any other monument in our collection fill out the form at the Contact Us link in the footer. Thank you.