CLEARWATER, Fla. - Marylandian -- The Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), an award-winning nonprofit that works to protect mental health human rights, is hosting an event commemorating Purple Heart Day on Saturday, August 2^nd at the historic Fort Harrison in downtown Clearwater. The reception for the complimentary event starts at 5pm and the banquet starts at 5:30pm. This special event is being held to recognize those who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal for their service. Families of Purple Heart recipients are welcome to attend as well. Those interested in attending may click here to register.

George Washington originally established the 1782 Badge of Military Merit, which had the design motif of a purple heart, and was eventually succeeded by today's Purple Heart Medal. First given in 1932, a Purple Heart is awarded to U.S. military personnel wounded or killed in action, and is the oldest military award still presented to U.S. service personnel.

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The August 2nd event and banquet includes a formal presentation by the Tampa area U.S. Marine Color Guard. This dramatic and skilled example of close-order presentation drilling never fails to impress those fortunate enough to experience it.

The event will also feature several speakers who hope to raise awareness on the issues unique to veterans as well as provide hope that there are solutions and support networks available.

To learn more or to reserve a seat for the upcoming event, please call 727-442-8820.

About CCHR: Initially established by the Church of Scientology and renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz in 1969, CCHR's mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, first brought psychiatric imprisonment to wide public notice: "Thousands and thousands are seized without process of law, every week, over the 'free world' tortured, castrated, killed.  All in the name of 'mental health,'" he wrote in March 1969.