The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office recently returned a Purple Heart medal to the family of World War II veteran Jerome Even, who had left the medal in a safe-deposit box before his death in 2014. After discovering the medal, the treasurer’s office launched Operation Purple Heart to return unclaimed Purple Hearts to their rightful owners. The initiative has returned 11 medals so far, with even more remaining unclaimed. The return of Even’s medal sparked a sense of togetherness in his family, prompting them to honor his legacy and share stories of his life. The Purple Heart, the nation’s oldest military honor, is estimated to have been awarded over 1.8 million times since 1932. Even’s son, Jim, now works at DePaul University in honor of his father’s service and love for the university. The treasurer’s office continues to encourage the public to help find the owners of unclaimed Purple Hearts, emphasizing the importance of honoring and supporting veterans. The return of Even’s medal exemplifies the impact of the initiative, sparking memories and uniting families in honoring those who have served their country.
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