TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — They were wounded in-service of their country. Today, Florida gave back to some of its Purple Heart recipients.
The Governor and veterans gathered at Tallahassee National Cemetery for an unveiling of this Purple Heart memorial.
The area's Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart had been trying to place the stone for several years. It was cut from a rare purple granite and dedicated to all combat veterans who have shed their blood for their country.
Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient Major John Haynes said he hopes people will see it and think of sacrifice.
"It's a reminder to all our citizens of the steep price that our country has paid for our freedom," said Major Haynes. "Not only monetarily, but in blood."
Florida has been called the most veteran-friendly state.
It has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million. That's about 12 percent of Florida's 18 and older population.
