Maricopa Honors Purple Heart Recipients and the Legacy of Service

The City of Maricopa joins communities nationwide in recognizing Aug. 7, 2026, as Purple Heart Day, honoring service members wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. 

During a recent City Council meeting, Mayor Nancy Smith proclaimed the day in Maricopa, affirming the city’s designation as a Purple Heart City and its ongoing commitment to veterans and their families. 

The Purple Heart traces its origins to Aug. 7, 1782, when Gen. George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit. Today, the Purple Heart is awarded to those wounded by enemy action or terrorism, and posthumously to the next of kin of those killed in action or who died of their wounds. 

Councilmember Amber Liermann recognized several local individuals tied to the Purple Heart legacy. 

“There are moments as a council member that are very humbling, and tonight is one of them when you get to stand among heroes,” Liermann shared during the recognition. “We have heroes in our community, and I’m humbled and honored to be here with them and to recognize some of them.” 

Those recognized included: 

• Master Sgt. Matthew Beaty, who received two Purple Hearts after being wounded by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) while serving in Iraq in 2005 and 2011.  

• Cpl. Allan Rivera, a Purple Heart recipient.  

• Gunnery Sgt. Richard Hair, who was wounded during the Battle of Iwo Jima while serving in the Marine Corps from 1942 to 1950.  

• Anita Martin and her late husband, Walter Martin, a Special Forces veteran who served three tours in Vietnam. The Martins helped lead the effort to establish Maricopa as a Purple Heart City in 2017, creating a lasting commitment to honoring Purple Heart recipients and their families. 

The City presented the Veteran Center with a Purple Heart plaque and flag in appreciation of its support for local veterans and their families. 

Purple Heart Day is a time to remember the courage behind every award and to honor the veterans and families whose stories embody the enduring legacy of service.