UM Named Purple Heart University

UM becomes the only school in the Northwest designated as a Purple Heart University

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Categories: Alumni , Campus , History

President Royce Engstrom and a group of veterans display the award naming UM a Purple Heart University.
President Royce Engstrom and a group of veterans display the award naming UM a Purple Heart University.

In February, UM officially was designated as a Purple Heart University. The recognition places UM among a handful of select universities to receive the honor, and the only one in the Northwest. Purple Heart Universities show great support for veterans and are recognized as veteran-friendly. The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration still in use and was initially created by George Washington in 1782. It specifically is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been wounded or who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat.

The veterans honored in the ceremony at halftime of a Griz basketball game included Frank Bernatz ’53, a WWII veteran; Colonel John Keefe, a veteran of the wars in Korea and Vietnam; Captain Sonny Gratzer ’63, a Vietnam veteran; Terry Cody, a Desert Storm veteran; Sergej Michaud, a current student and veteran of the Iraq War; Ike Zahn, a current student and veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; and Captain Char Gatlin ’03, a veteran of the Iraq War. (Photo by Todd Goodrich)

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