The first ornament of the White House Gift Shop was placed on the White House Tree by an on-duty member of the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division. decades later, this collection often referred to as the original White House Secret Service collection by discerning collectors and gift givers is globally prized, traded, collected, displayed, and given one generation to the next.

Each Year the Only Original and Official White House Gift Shop, Est. 1946 by Permanent Presidential Memorandum and Members of Secret Service Uniformed Division Creates Two Ornaments that Depict through Historical Presidential Actions the Powers of the President of the United States of Significance to all Americans and to American History. In 2016, the United States Patent and Trademark Office Granted Primary and Exclusive Trademarks to the White House Gift Shop, Est. 1946 in Our 70th Anniversary Year. From 1946 with Our Origins in the Basement of the White House to 2016 and Beyond — We Look Forward to Creating New, Significant, and Relevant Commemoratives of American Presidential Moments for Your Collection and Gift Giving.

The 2016 George Washington Commemorative

represents

Power of the President as Commander in Chief

GEORGE WASHINGTON

ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART &

THE LIBERATION OF BOSTON IN BACKGROUND

Frame and Border is Based on Motifs from Mirrors in the White House, Portrait Commissioned by John Hancock is Preserved in Sealed Heirloom Dome, Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army with Hand Suggestive of Placement Over His Heart, Ribbon for Tree Display, Handcrafted in the USA by the Official White House Ornament Maker, Ribbon for Tree Display, Approximately 3.4" High and 3" Wide with Full Colors, Seals of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, and Washington's Badges including Replica Image of the Badge for Military Merit which became the Purple Heart Medal, Excerpt on Reverse from Washington's Order Creating the Badge of Merit, Completely Finished in in 24-Karat Gold on Heirloom Nickel Plated Premium Brass, History Card Included

On August 7,1782, Newburgh, New York, General George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, in his general orders announced the "Badge for Military Merit" comprised of a heart-shaped decoration of purple silk, edged with silver binding and stitched with the word Merit in silver upon its face. Washington's "Purple Heart" was awarded to only three soldiers for "singularly meritorious action." Moreover, the wearer of the badge was permitted to pass guards and sentinels "without challenge." Following the Revolutionary War, Washington's purple heart was largely forgotten and its official registry, "The Book of Merit" was lost. In 1927, General Summerall, U.S. Army Chief of Staff, submitted an unsuccessful draft bill to Congress to revive the Merit Badge. General Douglas MacArthur, however, took the cause to reinstate the medal for the bicentennial of George Washington's 200th birthday with success: On February 22, 1932, the U.S. War Department created the "Order of the Purple Heart" with new features including a bust of Washington and his coat of arms. The "Order of the Purple Heart" with its unique provenance is the oldest decoration for military merit and is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been killed, wounded in action against an enemy, or who have suffered maltreatment as prisoners of war.