There are six unclaimed Purple Hearts at the Massachusetts Treasurer's office. The state is hoping to get the medals back to the families of those who were honored with them.

The Purple Heart is the oldest military award in the United States. It is so treasured, many are kept in family safe deposit boxes. In Massachusetts, after eight years, unclaimed boxes at banks are turned over to the Unclaimed Property Division of the state treasury.

For two employees there, reuniting the six medals with the veterans' families has become a patriotic mission.

"Anyone who received the Purple Heart obviously gave the last full measure of sacrifice and service," said Marine veteran James Roy, a manager in the Unclaimed Property Division. "It's an important thing that families continue to have thes

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