WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump acknowledged practically 100 recipients of the Purple Coronary heart on the White Home on Thursday, together with three service members who gave him their very own medals after an attempt on his life at a Pennsylvania marketing campaign rally.
Trump opened the occasion marking Nationwide Purple Coronary heart Day by noting that dozens of the award’s recipients have been on the ceremony within the East Room. The Republican president provided “eternal because of you and your unbelievable households.”
However he had particular phrases for the trio of veterans who despatched Trump their medals after the 2024 capturing in Butler. Trump mentioned the trio, “confirmed me the identical unbelievable gesture of kindness.”
“What an awesome honor to get these Purple Hearts. I assume, in a sure means, it wasn’t that straightforward for me both, whenever you consider it,” Trump mentioned of the try on his life. “However you went by much more than I did, and I recognize it very a lot.”
After a shooter’s bullet pierced the higher a part of Trump’s proper ear in Butler simply days earlier than the 2024 Republican National Convention, the then-Republican presidential candidate was gifted medals from some Purple Coronary heart recipients. The medals have been offered to him at marketing campaign occasions through the race’s closing months.
In accordance with the White Home, a few of these Purple Coronary heart recipients have been delivered to Trump’s marketing campaign stops in order that he may return their medals to them.
Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Employees, additionally attended, together with Chris LaCivita, Trump’s former marketing campaign co-manager and a Marine veteran who can also be a Purple Coronary heart recipient.
Nationwide Purple Coronary heart Day is marked yearly on Aug. 7.
The Purple Coronary heart, the oldest navy award nonetheless in use and is awarded to service members who’re killed or wounded whereas participating in enemy motion or ensuing from acts of terrorism. In accordance with the Nationwide Purple Coronary heart Corridor of Honor, greater than 1.8 million medals have been offered because the award’s inception in 1782.
Trump additionally highlighted the tales of valor of different Purple Coronary heart recipients, together with Military Spc. Kevin Jensen whose Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in 2008. Jensen pulled fellow Purple Coronary heart recipient, Capt. Sam Brown, from the flames.
“He flew 10 ft up within the air, exploded in flames. The entire place was in flames, together with, sadly, Kevin,” Trump mentioned of Jansen. “He suffered deep, third-degree burns throughout his physique. He was in hassle, massive hassle. Regardless of the agony, he selflessly ran to assistance from his platoon chief.”
Trump additionally used the ceremony to brag about having licensed a 2020 U.S. drone strike, throughout his first time period, that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Trump derided Soleimani on Thursday as “father of the roadside bomb.”
“The place is he? The place is he?” Trump scoffed to attendee laughter. “The place is Soleimani?”
Kinnard may be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP. Related Press author Will Weissert contributed reporting.
