Charleston—Today, Lt. Governor Bob Peeler was awarded the Medal of Merit from the South Carolina Department of the Military Order of the Purple Heart at their annual convention in Charleston.

Peeler received the award for his continued support of combat veterans in South Carolina.

Lt. Governor Peeler said, "I am honored today to receive the prestigious Medal of Merit award from the South Carolina Department of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. We owe these veterans a great debt of gratitude for all they have done for our country and for our freedoms. Some of them paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we might enjoy the simplest of life’s pleasures. My prayer is that we all take time to remember them and their cause."

The Military Order of the Purple Heart was Chartered by the United States Congress to honor combat veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart. It was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the award. Composed exclusively of Purple Heart recipients, it is the only strictly "combat" organization in existence. The South Carolina Department has chapters in Anderson, Aiken, Charleston, Beaufort and Columbia.

The Purple Heart Award was created by President and General George Washington to honor members of the armed forces of the United States who are wounded in combat, those who are killed in action or those who die of wounds received in action.