Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn honored 15 local Purple Heart recipients during Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, recognizing veterans wounded or killed in combat while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
The presentation came one week after the board approved Hahn's motion to proclaim Aug. 7 as Purple Heart Day in Los Angeles County for the first time in the county's history.
"Each of you have endured what most cannot imagine," Hahn told the honorees. "You have borne wounds in defense of this country – physical, emotional, and spiritual. Today we honor that sacrifice. Our nation owes you not only gratitude, but our support."
The Purple Heart ranks among the oldest and most distinguished military decorations in the United States. Its origins trace back to Aug. 7, 1782, when Gen. George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit after the Continental Congress restricted his ability to promote soldiers based on merit. Washington authorized the badge – a purple heart-shaped cloth symbol – to recognize soldiers who performed "singularly meritorious action."
Louis Dominguez, a longtime San Pedro community leader and former teacher, spoke on behalf of the honorees during the presentation. Dominguez voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 and served in the Vietnam War, where he suffered serious injury and later received a Purple Heart along with other service awards.
"On behalf of my fellow veterans and myself, we want to thank the County and each supervisor for giving us this wonderful chance to be recognized, especially our own supervisor for me, Janice Hahn," Dominguez said. "She's the one that got us together. Thank you for this wonderful proclamation."
In 2023, Hahn opened a 60-room interim housing site for formerly homeless veterans in San Pedro, naming it the Louis Dominguez Veterans Center in his honor.
The Purple Heart recognition ceremony highlighted Los Angeles County's commitment to supporting veterans who sacrificed for their country's defense.
Edited by SMDP Staff