Photo by Bernard S. Little Pfc. David Klatt is comforted by a friend after receiving the Purple Heart from Brig. Gen. Michael Tucker, Walter Reed deputy commanding general, during a ceremony in Joel Auditorium last Friday.

ìI want to thank the staff here at Walter Reed for saving my arm,î a tearful and appreciative Pfc. David Klatt said. ìI should have lost my arm, but I didnít because of the staffs in Baghdad and here who put me back together,î said the military police soldier upon receiving his Purple Heart, one of the nationís oldest and most distinguished U.S. military decoration.

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president of the United States to servicemembers who have been wounded or killed while serving with the U.S. military on or after April 5, 1917.

In addition to Klatt, last Fridayís recipients included: Capt. Thomas Kitson; Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Williams, Staff Sgts. Michael Nuir and Adrian Lewis-Walter; Sgts. Erick Arroyo, Charles Eggleston and Emanuel Herrera; Spcs. Michael Bloodworth, Josua Brock and Troy Crawford; and Pfcs. Craig Chavez and Javier Torres.

ìI used to think united we stand and divided we fall,î Herrera said. ìBut thatís not true,î the sergeant said in, reference to the care and support he received from Walter Reedís medical staff and Medical Center Brigade once he arrived here. ìI want to thank them all for being there for me.î

Maj. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, commander of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, called the ceremony a ìvery special honoring our heroes.

ìNo commander goes into command planning or hoping to award Purple Hearts,î the general added. ìNo Soldier goes into combat to defend his or her nation with the intent on winning a Purple Heart.

Photo by Bernard S. Little Brig. Gen. Michael Tucker, Walter Reed’s deputy commanding general, pins the Purple Heart on Sgt. Emanuel Herrera during a ceremony March 23 in Joel Auditorium.

ìPurple Hearts arenít won. [They] are earned,î Schoomaker said. ìThey represent the sacrifice we all acknowledge Ö and recognize as the highest honor that a Soldier can earn.

ìWe are tremendously humbled by your sacrifice and service that earned you this award,î he added.

ìItís an honor to pin a Purple Heart,î Brig. Gen. Michael Tucker, WRAMCís deputy commanding general, said after he pinned the medals on the Wounded Warriors during the ceremony.

ìFor all of you here, and especially the Purple Heart recipients, thank you for answering the call to duty to your nation,î said Tucker, who is also a combat veteran. ìAny of you will quickly acknowledge the Army is at war. It may not necessarily be evident that the nation is at war, but the Army is certainly at war.

ìYou answered the call to arms [for your nation], and I respect you for that,î Tucker continued. ìAmerica loves its heroes, and America is strong because of its heroes,î he added. ìI encourage you, as you move on in life and as you go home, tell your story because it needs to be told. Itís important you do because it tells the story of heroes and sacrifice. Itís important for America to hear your story.î

Nearly all of the Purple Heart recipients acknowledged their fellow fallen and wounded Soldiers, those still serving in the Global War on Terror, as well as the care they received at Walter Reed.

Ransom Jordan Jr., and Frank Hollin, representatives from the Military Order of the Purple Heart, were also in attendance. The organizationís mission is to foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans, promote patriotism; support necessary legislative initiatives; and provide service to all veterans and their families.

The original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established by George Washington ó then the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army ó by order from his Newburgh, New York headquarters on August 7, 1782.

The Badge of Military Merit was only awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers and fell into disuse following the War of Independence. Although never abolished, the award of the Purple Heart was not proposed again officially until after World War I.