The National Flag Foundation, In Conjunction With The Military Order Of The Purple Heart, Marine Corps League, and United Steelworkers Continue A Year Of Initiatives To Celebrate The Milestone Anniversary Of The Purple Heart Award
PITTSBURGH, PA – The National Flag Foundation (NFF) will continue a year of initiatives marking the 240thAnniversary of the inception of the Purple Heart Award with the “Light To Unite” National Day of Unity on Friday, November 11, 2022.
With the help of affiliates of Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA) and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) across the U.S. (see listing below) – and with full support of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (the only congressionally chartered Purple Heart organization in America), Marine Corps League, and United Steelworkers– the NFF will commemorate the 240th anniversary of our nation’s Purple Heart Award on Veteran’s Day by lighting buildings in cities purple (alternatively in red, white, blue) as a show of national unity and support for our military heroes.
Led by the home of the National Flag Foundation in Pittsburgh at the Koppers Building, and at One World Trade Center in New York, NY, designated buildings across the U.S. will also display a ceremonial Marine Corps League color guard for the lightings. Of note, active-duty sailors from the USS Arlington plan to participate in the ceremony prior to the lighting of One World Trade Center.
In addition to the displays at One World Trade Center in New York and the Koppers Building in Pittsburgh, other prominent landmarks across the country include: The Willis Tower in Chicago, IL, the Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. Steel Tower in Pittsburgh, PA, and the Bank of America Plaza in Dallas, TX. Altogether, more than 50 buildings across more than 40 cities will see key locations light to unite in support of our nation’s wounded veteran community.
Romel Nicholas, National Flag Foundation Chairman, said, “As part of its role of educating about the American Flag and honoring those who serve to protect it, the NFF sees this year’s Veterans Day as a unique opportunity to unite all Americans in these historically challenging days. At the same time, the NFF seeks to honor those men and women who have sacrificed their well-being, and in many cases their lives, for our nation. In addition to lighting cities across America purple, NFF asks that all Americans rally together and make a special effort to fly an American Flag on November 11, 2022.”
Tom Conway, United Steelworkers International President, said: “The USW is proud to honor our veterans and their hard work, dedication and sacrifice – on Veterans Day and every day. Thousands of our members served or are serving in the military, protecting our nation and defending democracy around the world. We’re pleased to join the National Flag Foundation in commemorating Veterans Day and in recommitting ourselves to ensuring all veterans have the resources and support they need to succeed in the workplace and beyond.”
David Schiller SIOR, Cushman & Wakefield Pyramid Brokerage, said: “Members of the Society of Industrial & Office Realtors’ Veterans Networking Group are excited to see the enthusiastic response of building owners to light buildings in many US cities on November 11, Veterans Day, 2022. We were honored to be asked to promote this initiative in conjunction with the National Flag Foundation and BOMA. The effort to publicly and visibly honor Veterans and Purple Heart recipients reminds all of us of the commitment and sacrifice necessary to protect our freedom. We “Light to Unite” as a salute to our Veterans and Purple Heart recipients, and thank the participating building owners across the USA.”
The following buildings and cities have already committed to Light To Unite, with more additional cities and buildings to be added:
- Mobile, AL: RSA Battle House Tower
- Mobile, AL: Trustmark Building
- Mobile, AL: Van Antwerp Building
- Montgomery, AL: RSA Tower
- Montgomery, AL: RSA Dexter Avenue
- Montgomery, AL: RSA Headquarters
- Fountain Hills, AZ: Town Fountain
- Phoenix, AZ: Ryan Companies (*Lobby)
- Phoenix, AZ: Bridge Commercial Real Estate
- Tempe, AZ: Transwestern Building
- Los Angeles, CA: Pepperdine University
- Dania Beach, FL: DCOTA
- Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Deutsche Bank Building
- Jacksonville, FL: Florida Blue Building
- Jacksonville, FL: Riverside Office Complex
- Miami, FL: DRA Advisors
- Miami, FL: TIAA Building
- Orlando, FL: Municipal Buildings
- Chicago, IL: Willis Tower
- Indianapolis, IN: Monument Circle
- Lexington, KY: Center City Building
- Paducah, KY: McCracken County Courthouse
- St. Louis Park, MN: 10 West End
- Minneapolis, MN: IDS Tower
- Minneapolis, MN: US Bancorp Center
- Minneapolis, MN: Capella Tower
- Kansas City, MO: Union Station
- Camden, NJ: Subaru of America
- Albany, NY: CBRE Building
- Buffalo, NY: The Electric Tower
- Buffalo, NY: Seneca One
- Buffalo, NY: The Avant
- New York, NY: One World Trade Center
- New York, NY: EQ Park Avenue Tower
- New York, NY: 55 Water
- Rochester, NY: Legacy Tower
- Rochester, NY: The Metropolitan
- Rochester, NY: Innovation Square
- Durham, NC: Hock Plaza
- Springfield, OH: VFW Post 1031
- Portland, OR: World Trade Center Portland
- Portland, OR: Marissa Plaza
- Philadelphia, PA: One Liberty Place
- Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia International Airport
- Philadelphia, PA: Cira Centre
- Pittsburgh, PA: Koppers Tower
- Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Steel Tower
- Pittsburgh, PA: United Steelworkers Headquarters
- Pittsburgh, PA: 11 Stanwix
- Pittsburgh, PA: Gulf Tower
- Pittsburgh, PA: Oxford Center
- Pittsburgh, PA: Nova Place
- Dallas, TX: Bank of America Plaza Building
- Houston, TX: Wells Fargo Plaza
- Waco, TX: Det #975 Bridge
- Columbus, WI: Light to Unite Program
- Milwaukee, WI: U.S. Bank Tower
- Charleston, WV: West Virginia State Capitol
- Pt. Pleasant, WV: Pt. Pleasant River Museum
- Pt. Pleasant, WV: Mason County Courthouse
The Light To Unite – National Day of Unity will be the culmination of a year of initiatives to mark the 240th Anniversary of the inception of the Purple Heart Award, that included:
- To commemorate the 240th anniversary, the NFL embraced the NFF and allowed the NFF and Military Order of the Purple Heart to announce of the 240th Selection at this year’s National Football League (NFL) draft by Project Purple Heart Co-Chairmen former Pittsburgh Steelers legends and military veterans Rocky Bleier and John Banaszak.
- In coordination with the NFL’s Salute to Service games, a video narrated by legendary broadcaster Jim Nantz has been produced and distributed to all NFL franchises to commemorate the 240th Anniversary of the Purple Heart Award.
- The NFF has also joined multiple Veterans service organizations (VSOs) from around the country to support efforts in Congress to pass legislation that would improve the ability of VSOs, the public, and Gold Star families to identify, verify, and serve Purple Heart veterans.
About the National Flag Foundation
The NFF is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit and non-political foundation dedicated to education about the American Flag and honoring those who have served to support our country and its national symbol. It is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based national foundation and has been in existence for over half a century. It is nationally recognized and has been the subject of recognition by multiple United States Presidents, as well as the United States Senate and Congress.
For more information on the National Flag Foundation’s “National Day of Unity” and buildings participating in this event please visit www.nationalflagfoundation.org or #NationalFlagFoundation.