SPRINGFIELD - State officials honored about 5,000 Illinois Purple Heart recipients for service to the United States.
The military veterans were honored Tuesday in the rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol.
The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president to any member of the armed services who is wounded or killed while serving in any military capacity. It took effect April 5, 1917.
The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs conducted the ceremony. Officials lighted the Capitol grounds in purple Tuesday night.
Members of the Military Order Purple Heart Hayes-Krell Chapter #159 of Springfield participated in the Capitol ceremony and presented the Veterans Affairs Department with a Purple Heart Service Flag.
