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§ 140502. Principles and purposes
(a) PRINCIPLES.—The principles underlying the corporation are patri-
otic allegiance to the United States, fidelity to the Constitution and laws
of the United States, the security of civil liberty, and the permanence of
free institutions.
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the corporation are educational, fra-
ternal, historical, and patriotic, perpetuating the principles of liberty and
justice which have created the United States, by—
(1) commemorating all national patriotic holidays;
(2) maintaining true allegiance to the Government of the United
States and fidelity to its Constitution and laws;
(3) preserving and strengthening comradeship and patriotism
among its members;
(4) assisting, comforting, and aiding all needy and distressed
members and their dependents;
(5) giving needed hospital and service work through its Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs certified service officers;
(6) cooperating with other civic and patriotic organizations having
worthy objectives;
(7) keeping alive the achievements and memory of our country’s
founders;
(8) ever cherishing the memory of General George Washington,
who founded the Purple Heart at his headquarters at Newburgh-on-
the-Hudson on August 7, 1782;
(9) influencing and teaching our citizenry, in a loyal appreciation
of the heritages of American citizenship, with its responsibilities and
privileges; and
(10) preserving and defending the United States from all enemies.
§ 140503. Membership
(a) ACTIVE MEMBERS.—An individual is eligible for active membership
in the corporation if the individual—
(1) is of good moral character; and
(2) has received the Purple Heart for wounds received as a mem-
ber, of any rank, of the armed forces of the United States or any for-
eign country during military or naval combat against an armed enemy
of the United States.
(b) ASSOCIATE MEMBERS.—The corporation may extend eligibility for
membership as associate members to parents and lineal descendants of an
individual described in subsection (a) of this section on terms provided in
its constitution and bylaws.
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(c) VOTING.—Each member described in subsection (a) of this section
has one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of the mem-
bers.
§ 140504. Governing body
(a) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—(1) The board of directors is the govern-
ing body of the corporation. Between meetings of the corporation, the board
is responsible for the general policies and program of the corporation. The
board is responsible for all funds of the corporation.
(2) The number of directors, their manner of selection (including the
filling of vacancies), and their term of office are as provided in the constitu-
tion and bylaws of the corporation. However, the board shall have at least
18 directors.
(b) OFFICERS.—(1) The officers of the corporation are a commander,
a senior vice commander, a chaplain, an adjutant, a finance officer, a judge
advocate, an inspector, a surgeon, a historian, and other elected officers as
provided in the constitution and bylaws.
(2) The manner of election, term of office, and duties of the officers
are as provided in the constitution and bylaws.
§ 140505. Powers
The corporation may—
(1) adopt and amend a constitution and bylaws for the manage-
ment of its property and the regulation of its affairs;
(2) adopt and alter a corporate seal;
(3) make contracts;
(4) acquire, own, lease, encumber, and transfer property as nec-
essary or convenient to carry out the purposes of the corporation;
(5) borrow money, issue instruments of indebtedness, and secure
its obligations by granting security interests in its property;
(6) charge and collect membership dues; and
(7) sue and be sued.
§ 140506. Restrictions
(a) STOCK AND DIVIDENDS.—The corporation may not issue stock or
declare or pay a dividend.
(b) POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.—The corporation or a director or officer as
such may not contribute to, support, or assist a political party or candidate
for public office.
(c) DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME OR ASSETS.—The income or assets of
the corporation may not inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, a direc-
tor, officer, or member except on dissolution or final liquidation of the cor-
poration. This subsection does not prevent the payment of compensation to