Senior Town Councilman Anthony Santino, center, congratulated Purple Heart recipients and members of Chapter 417 President Robert Chiappone, Michael Dolan, Connie Steers and Tony Sparaco.

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Hempstead Town Senior Councilman Anthony Santino, center, welcomed members of Chapter 417 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart as the town became the nation’s largest “Purple Heart Town,” honoring the legacy of the more than two million American Purple Heart recipients.

The Purple Heart is the nation’s oldest active military decoration, presented to all Americans who were wounded or killed during military service.

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