Pico Rivera Purple Heart Recipient Honored as Los Angeles County Becomes Purple Heart CountyPurple Heart recipient Ruben Valencia and his wife Emily, of Pico Rivera. August 4, 2026LCCN Staff ReportPico Rivera Purple Heart recipient Ruben Valencia was among those honored Tuesday as the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors officially designated Los Angeles County a Purple Heart County, recognizing members of the United States Armed Forces who were wounded or killed in combat. Valencia and his wife, Emily, attended the Board of Supervisors meeting where the designation was approved and Aug. 7 was proclaimed Purple Heart Day throughout Los Angeles County. For Valencia, the ceremony marked another milestone in his ongoing efforts to honor fellow Purple Heart recipients. “The Purple Heart tells a story that cannot be measured by medals alone,” Solis said.