The Purple Heart Trail in Delaware honors soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who received the Purple Heart in the name of the president of the United States after being wounded or losing their lives in defense of the nation. The original Purple Heart, first designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established by General George Washington, commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, on August 7, 1782. Delaware’s 14th General Assembly unanimously passed House Joint Resolution #21, signed by Governor Jack A. Markell on June 26, 2008, naming the portion of Interstate 95 through Delaware connecting Maryland and Pennsylvania the Purple Heart Trail. The trail is part of a national project of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, an organization made up entirely of recipients of the medal that promotes patriotism, dedication to duty, respect, fraternalism, history, and education.