When you look at a Purple Heart medal, you see a piece of metal shaped like a heart. It is bright, shiny, and decorated with a profile of George Washington. It looks beautiful. It looks honorable. What it truly represents is something deeper, something painful. I have seen what a Purple Heart really means. I have spoken with people who earned one. I have written about characters who received it. I can tell you it is not just an award. It is not merely a military decoration to be displayed in a case or pinned on a uniform. It is a reminder.

What Is the Purple Heart?

The Purple Heart is given to members of the United States Armed Forces who are wounded or killed in action. It is one of the oldest military honors in the world. It began as the Badge of Military Merit, created by George Washington in 1782. Today, it is awarded to those who suffer injuries or death as a result of enemy action. It is a symbol of sacrifice. The medal is often given after pain, trauma, and life-altering moments. Some people receive it in the hospital. Others receive it posthumously. The person who wears a Purple Heart has a story behind it. That story is never easy.

More Than Just a Medal

To the public, the Purple Heart may appear to be a badge of bravery. In many ways, it is. For the person who receives it, it means they were hurt. It means they were in danger. It means something went terribly wrong. In Blood, Tears, and Purple Hearts, my main character, Lieutenant-Commander Ali Cabrillo, earns the Purple Heart after a failed mission. Her helicopter goes down. Her best friend dies. She survives with serious injuries, both physical and emotional. She is awarded the Purple Heart. Instead of feeling proud, she feels empty. She asks herself, “Is this really an honor, or just proof that I survived while someone else didn’t?” The question is real. I have heard it from veterans before. Many feel torn when they receive the medal. They feel guilty for living. They feel angry at the pain. The Purple Heart does not just bring honor. It also brings back memories. Sometimes that memory hurts.

The People Behind the Medal

Every Purple Heart has a story. Some are shared. Some are never spoken. I once met a Marine who had three Purple Hearts. He never talked about how he got them. He smiled politely when people thanked him for his service. I could see in his eyes that he was somewhere else. Somewhere far from the room we were in. He later told me the medals reminded him of friends he lost. Each one brought back a day he could never forget. They were not moments of pride. They were moments of pain. This is why I believe we should never take the Purple Heart lightly. It is not just a medal. It is a human experience. It is a piece of someone’s life. It carries wounds, memories, and emotions that words can never fully explain.

For the Ones Who Did Not Come Home

Some Purple Hearts are given to families. The soldier who earned it never got to hold it. They died on the battlefield. Their loved ones receive the medal in a quiet ceremony, with folded flags and heavy hearts. Imagine what that moment feels like. A knock at the door. A uniformed officer with a calm voice. A medal in a velvet box. That medal sits on a shelf, or in a drawer, or next to a photograph. It will never bring that person back. This is why we must understand what it means. A Purple Heart is not just for the living. It is also a symbol of grief for those left behind.

Honoring Without Glorifying

It is important to honor service members who receive the Purple Heart. They gave something most of us cannot imagine. Their bodies and minds carry scars that may never fully heal. At the same time, we should not romanticize war. The medal should not be seen as something to chase. No one wants a Purple Heart. No one should have to earn it. Veterans deserve more than applause. They deserve real care. They deserve support and understanding. They deserve space to heal and live with dignity.

What the Medal Really Stands For

To me, the real meaning of a Purple Heart is sacrifice. It is not just about the moment of injury. It is about everything that comes after. The surgeries, the nightmares, the therapy, the pain, and the slow return to normal life. Sometimes the wounds are visible. Other times, they are not. It is about carrying memories and still waking up each day. It is about finding a way to live again, even when part of you feels lost. That takes real courage. That is what the medal represents.

Let’s Never Forget

When you see a Purple Heart, remember the story behind it. Think of the person who wore it. Think of what they gave up. Think of what they still carry. Whether they came home or not, their sacrifice matters. Their story matters. This is why I wrote Blood, Tears, and Purple Hearts. I wanted to give voice to those stories. I wanted to show that behind every medal is a person who lived through something we may never fully understand.

Pre-order the book now on Amazon and read it. Let the story speak to you. Let it open your heart. Let it remind you of what true courage looks like. To learn more, visit the official author website for updates, articles, and more.