The Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) is set to host an event in honor of Purple Heart Day on Saturday, August 3rd, at the historic Fort Harrison in downtown Clearwater. The event aims to recognize and honor U.S. military personnel and veterans who have received the Purple Heart Medal for their service. The reception will begin at 5pm, followed by a banquet at 5:30pm.
The Purple Heart Medal, originally derived from George Washington's 1782 Badge of Military Merit, is the oldest military award still presented to U.S. service personnel. First awarded in 1932, it is given to those wounded or killed in action. The event welcomes not only Purple Heart recipients but also their families, emphasizing the community's recognition of their sacrifices.
A highlight of the event will be a formal presentation by the MacDill Air Force Color Guard, known for their impressive close-order presentation drilling. Additionally, several speakers will address the issue of military suicides, aiming to raise awareness and offer hope through available solutions and support networks.
In an effort to shed light on the mental health challenges faced by veterans, CCHR's international headquarters filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in July 2021. The VHA's response revealed that between 2015 and 2019, the administration spent over $2.4 billion on psychotropic drugs, with 4.2 million veterans prescribed these medications in 2019 alone. Notably, 1.75 million of these veterans were prescribed antidepressants, commonly used to treat PTSD and depression.
Diane Stein, President of the Florida chapter of CCHR, criticized the prevalent use of drugs and electroshock treatments for veterans. "We are doing a great disservice to veterans when drugs and electroshock are the recommended treatments," she stated. Stein argued that terms like 'treatment-resistant depression' are misleading and that the real issue lies in the failure of current treatments.
The event is an opportunity to not only honor the bravery and sacrifices of Purple Heart recipients but also to bring attention to the pressing mental health issues affecting veterans. Through this event, CCHR hopes to foster a deeper understanding of these issues and advocate for more effective and humane treatments.
