On August 7th, 2025, a ceremony was held in Wichita’s Veterans Memorial Park to commemorate Purple Heart Day. The featured speaker was Raymond Miller, a US Marine Corps Veteran who fought in the Korean War, specifically in the brutally cold Chosin Reservoir campaign. Because of this campaign, Sergeant Raymond Miller and his comrades are forever known as the Frozen Chosen. Ray Miller is a 2-time Purple Heart recipient and is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Ray reminded us that all Purple Heart Medal recipients deserve our respect and recognition, regardless of which war they fought in.
Although the Purple Heart Medal was originated by George Washington, the Military Order of the Purple Heart was chartered by Congress in 1932, and there are Chapters all over the United States. The Richard E. Cowan Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 558 is based in Wichita. Richard Cowan was a Wichita native who earned not only the Purple Heart but the Congressional Medal of Honor in World War 2, for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge. He is buried in Old Mission Cemetery.
Photos are courtesy of Mike Nash.
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