Aug. 7 marks a day to honor veterans who sacrificed so much: National Purple Heart Day. And there's few, if any, better places to pay tribute to America’s vets than at the Purple Heart Veterans Memorial Bridge, which spans the Hudson River between Orange and Putnam counties.  

Vietnam veteran Willie Nazario helped organize the ceremony with more than a dozen Purple Heart vets and several American Gold Star moms. Awarded to service members who were wounded or killed in action, the medal dates back to George Washington’s Continental Army. More than 1 million servicemembers have received the distinguished honor.

“I personally don't think that Purple Heart recipients, or veterans for that matter, get enough recognition," Nazario said. "And this is one way of recognizing their service to our country.” 

He served as the national senior vice commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and today organizes events like this one to connect vets to critical services that can help them. It also allows Nazario to raise awareness for the ongoing epidemic of veteran suicide. 

“We still have 22 veterans a day committing suicide," he said. "And that's something that hopefully we can abolish, do away with. And the only way to do that is to reach out to veterans and let them know that there is hope out there.” 

But it also serves to connect vets to each other, building that special bond between recipients of the Purple Heart.

“Every time I attend the event like this, it's gratifying not only for myself but the other vets, recognizing the fact that this nation hasn't forgotten us," Nazario said.