Arkansas Designated State's First Purple Heart University

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For its efforts supporting the military community and veterans, the University of Arkansas has been designated as a “Purple Heart University” by the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH).

As the first university in the state awarded with the distinction by the national organization, the University of Arkansas joins a distinguished list of 26 Purple Heart University institutions across the nation. A Proclamation from the MOPH will be read by Arkansas Chancellor Joseph E. Steinmetz during halftime ceremonies of the LSU-Arkansas football game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

“This means a lot to me for a couple of reasons,” said Charles Adkins, Jr., MOPH commander, Department of Arkansas. “The University of Arkansas has always been very supportive of its veterans and the military I can see this first hand. For 4 1/2 years, I served as the executive and recruiting officer for the Army ROTC program on the U of A campus. My son is a graduate of the University as well as my daughter, but my son received his commission through the Army ROTC program and he’s still in active duty as of today. The support the University gave while I was there and continues to give is outstanding.”

Adkins, Jr. will be joined on the field by University of Arkansas ROTC Cadre Member SFC Anthony Kabat, along with University of Arkansas students and MOPH members Marshall Kennedy and Andrew Suchanek. Kabat, Kennedy and Suchanek each received a Purple Heart while serving in the U.S. military.

Also in attendance to Saturday’s matchup against the Tigers will be about 50 MOPH members and their guests. It will be the largest gathering of Arkansas Purple Heart recipients on Arkansas soil and attending a Razorbacks athletics event.

Their attendance was made possible by a generous donation from Subway owners of Northwest Arkansas, who proudly support both Razorback Athletics and the nation’s armed forces.

Subway owners of Northwest Arkansas said they are excited to honor the sacrifice of our veterans, particularly the state’s Purple Heart recipients. The owners said while this opportunity is but a small gesture compared to the sacrifices the brave men and women who serve our country make on a daily basis, Subway is proud to be a part of this special Purple Heart recipient salute.

Adkins, Jr. said an estimated 2.1-2.3 million Americans have received a Purple Heart in conflicts dating as far back as World War I.

The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration still in use by the U.S. military and traces its origins to 1782 when it was created as the Badge of Military merit by George Washington.

Today, the Purple Heart is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who has been wounded, killed, or has died after being wounded while serving against a declared enemy of the United States.

For more information about the MOPH, visit their website at www.purpleheart.org.