When is Dress in Purple Day?
Dress in Purple Day is celebrated each year on the second Thursday of May. In 2022, the Annual Dress in Purple Day will be on Thursday, May 12. If that day doesn't work for you, don't worry! You can hold a Dress in Purple Day event any time in May!
What is it?
The Texas LODD Task Force first launched the Dress in Purple Day program in 2016 to bring state-wide attention to the sacrifices made by first responders, especially those who give their lives in the line of duty, and to celebrate the courage of those families affected by line of duty injuries and loss. It is our goal for first responder agencies, their families and friends, communities, individuals, businesses and community groups across the State of Texas to participate in Dress in Purple Day by wearing purple and encouraging others to do the same. By "going purple," we hope to raise public awareness, support and to show compassion to our first responders that put their lives on the lines each and every day. Get involved!
Who is the Texas LODD Task Force?
The Texas LODD Task Force was created in 2000 out of the need to assist departments suffering from a line of duty death and to provide support for those family members left to deal with such a tragic loss. We've now grown to become the leading LODD response and care agency in the State of Texas. Our vision is to 'Remember the Survivors, So That We Never Forget the Fallen.' With that vision in front of us, we're working tirelessly to educate the public about the work that these fearless public servants do, what it means when we lose one of them in the line of duty, and how we can support their families as they rebuild. We are doing this by providing at-need assistance, long-term care for families, education, and support services to agencies and families in the areas of prevention and pre-planning.
How did Dress in Purple Day Day start?
It all began when Texas LODD Task Force founder, Wendy Norris, realized that more awareness and support needed to be given to families and agencies of the fallen. After a line of duty death, survivors can feel so alone and forgotten and it was her dream to ensure that these families and those brave public servants were never forgotten. She also wanted to tell the story of these individuals, because each one of them left behind a legacy that needs to be shared. A person that is willing to be critically injured or to even die in the line of duty, for a complete stranger, is an individual that needs to be recognized. Make It Purple and Dress in Purple Day not only remember those who have fallen but also celebrates the heroes that carry on.
Why Purple?
Similar to breast cancer's pink ribbon, the nationally-recognized purple and black bunting represents the eternal memory of the first responders whose lives have been lost in the line of duty. Purple and black bunting is commonly used for memorial services of fallen fire, police, and EMS members.
