Patriot Gifts are the first to offer a variety of gift variations for the Purple Heart Honor (award) crafted in direct association with the Purple Heart species of wood. Be it a pen body, plaque, or an encasement, the quality handcrafted Purple Heart wood compliments every Purple Heart award gift item. Patriot Gifts make this association of ‘wood and award’ because of their many shared symbolic characteristics. Like the recipients of the Purple Heart Honor, the Purple Heart wood is ridged, strong at heart, and resilient to defeat.

Purple Heart wood, also known as Amaranth (scientific name: Peltogyne), is an exotic species found only in the areas of the Central and South America, and is recognized for its natural ‘eggplant’ purple hue. It is one of only a few woods that need no additional stain to enhance its innate beauty. Its natural purple color evolves gradually from the time of its milling due to exposure to air and ultra-violet rays. However, there will always remain a hint of this species’ namesake, purple, as long as it survives.

Purple Heart is not a particularly easy species of wood to work with due to its incredible hardness. More than most dense woods, it often dulls blades and damages tooling if improperly handled. However, its unique beauty attracts skilled craftsmen to the challenge of fashioning it into objects ranging from very common to more complicated artistic applications. Ships, flooring and furniture are built with or honed from Purple Heart wood because of its exquisite beauty and strength. Mature trees can grow up to 170 ft. tall and reach trunk diameters of 5 ft. By name and nature, the Purple Heart wood and the Purple Heart award belong together in unique harmony. Patriot Gifts assures that its Purple Heart wood is expertly crafted with the greatest precision and finest detail. All Purple Heart wood Patriot Gift products are proudly made by skilled wood workers in the United States of America.

The badge of military merit, the original Purple Heart award was instituted by George Washington in 1782 to reward troops for “unusual gallantry and extraordinary fidelity and essential service”. The award was a Purple Heart cloth edged in silver braid and was worn over the left breast of the uniform. Only three such awards are known to have been issued, of which two are known to still exist today. It is with highest honor and respect that Patriot Gifts creates “The Purple Heart Encasement” from this most beautiful and endearing Purple Heart wood. We honor the 1.7 million recipients of this most prestigious honor. May we continue to honor those gallant troops defending us with their very lives today. May God bless the United States of America.

Albert R. Skaggs, President
Patriot Gifts