Photo: Poster of 2021 annual Purple Hearts Day ceremony to be held on Saturday

The town of Belmont will hold its annual Purple Heart Day ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Belmont Veterans Memorial located at Clay Pit Pond.

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, the Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members. 

Belmont’s Veterans Services Agent, Bob Upton, will make the welcoming remarks followed by the National Anthem and an invocation from Bob Butler, pastor of the Open Door Baptist Church.

Opening remarks will be delivered by Adam Dash, chair of Select Board, followed by guest speaker Paul Mutch, Sergeant Major USMC (Ret.)