In a heartwarming turn of events ahead of July Fourth, the Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has continued a commendable streak by returning a lost Purple Heart medal to the surviving family of a WWII veteran. According to Illinois.gov, Frerichs presented Private John L. Moore's lost medal to his youngest brother, Jerry Moore, and granddaughter, Angie Holliger, in an emotional ceremony held at the World War II Memorial in Decatur. The return of this medal marks the 15th such instance for Frerichs, who has made it an integral part of his office's operations to reunite lost military accolades with their rightful recipients.
Private Moore, an Army soldier, survived the 1944 D-Day invasion and was later wounded by shrapnel, sustaining injuries to his right wrist, left knee, and lower right leg. Despite nerve damage leading to recurrent hospitalizations, Moore returned to combat to fight in battles across the Rhineland. After his service, Moore settled in Peoria, Illinois, where he built a life that included work ranging from carpentry and truck driving to postal work; a reflection of the tenacity of the Greatest Generation. He passed away in 2002 at the age of 78 due to a heart attack, but his story and legacy continue to be honored through gestures like these.
"Private Moore defended democracy during some of the fiercest battles of WW II," Frerichs said in the ceremony. "It is an honor to finally return his Purple Heart to his loving family." These words, as reported by Illinois.gov, underscore the deeper sentiment of the Purple Heart: a token not just of bravery or injury, but of enduring sacrifice.
The quest to restore these lost medals to families is fraught with challenges, as there is no comprehensive national registry of awardees. Nonetheless, initiatives like Operation Purple Heart, detailed at operationpurpleheart.org, show a commitment to overcoming these obstacles. The medals, often left in forgotten safe deposit boxes, are eventually turned over to the Illinois State Treasurer's Unclaimed Property Division, where they can languish unnoticed for years. However, it's within these vaults of forgotten heirlooms and paperwork that treasures like Pvt. Moore's Purple Heart await the chance to be reclaimed and celebrated once again.
Symbolizing both recognition and reverence, the return of the Purple Heart is a somber yet joyous occasion. Jerry Moore, echoing the thoughts of many relatives who have received similar returns, told Illinois.gov, "My brother was very proud of his military service, and it is very nice to have this Purple Heart back in the family." Angie Holliger added, "I cannot believe I am holding my grandfather's Purple Heart," a sentiment capturing the tangible connection to past heroism these medals represent. As Illinois Treasurer, Frerichs leads a multi-faceted office beyond these touching reunions, managing about $60 billion in state funds and ensuring economic prosperity across Illinois.
