Three of the Best Places for Camping in Arizona

A resident of Gilbert, AZ, Colt K. Bulot served in the Airborne Infantry of the US Army for more than 20 years. During this time he received the Purple Heart and Iraqi Freedom Medal, among other military distinction. Colt Bulot enjoys camping and spending time outdoors in his free time.

Because of its warm climate, Arizona is an ideal destination for outdoor camping. Southern cities like Tucson and Phoenix even have desert campgrounds that are warm enough for camping in the winter. Here are three of the best campgrounds in the state:

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Located near the Mexico border, this campground can best be described as a "green" desert, as it is rich with organ pipe and saguaro cacti. It has more than 200 designated camping sites and rarely ever fills up due to its remote location.

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon attracts visitors from all over the world and has several campgrounds where people can stay to watch the sunset and sunrise over the impressive natural landscape. The largest camping area in the park is South Rim, which has more than 320 sites, as well as working toilets and potable water.

Hawley Lake

Those looking to camp in an area near the water should consider Hawley Lake in McNary. The campsites there feature grills, fire rings, tables, and restrooms, while the lake itself is great for fishing. 

The Purple Heart Military Decoration

Colt K. Bulot of Gilbert, AZ, earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and has spent more than two decades as an active and reserve duty military personnel. Colt Bulot received several US Army accolades and achievement medals throughout his career and was also awarded the Purple Heart.

The Purple Heart, awarded to military personnel who have been wounded in combat and posthumously awarded to families of those who have been killed serving their country, was the first-ever military decoration in the US. It was instituted by General George Washington in 1782 but, at that point, was given to military personnel who exhibited bravery in action. Three men received the medal of honor during the American Revolution, but it wasn't awarded during the following 150 years. It was revived as part of the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth on February 22, 1932.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart was also launched that year to protect the interests of those who have received the decoration. It remains the only veterans service organization dedicated solely to combat veterans. As suggested by its name, the medal is purple in color and features a side profile depiction of Washington as a general in the Continental Army. It has bronze edges, and the back of the medal is engraved with "For Military Merit" and the recipient's name.

 

An Overview of the Combat Action Badge

A current resident of Gilbert, AZ, Colt Bulot is a veteran of the US Army, spent 35 years in the Airborne Infantry division, and received numerous commendations for his service. In addition to a Purple Heart and an Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal of Honor for his combat missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Colt K. Bulot also earned a Combat Action Badge.

Created in 2005, the Combat Action Badge (CAB) designates soldiers who personally engage with or are engaged by an enemy. The badge is not limited to any specific branch or military occupational specialty, although individuals who qualify for a Combat Infantryman Badge or a Combat Medic Badge are not eligible.

Eligibility requirements for the CAB include performing duties in an area where soldiers are eligible to receive imminent danger pay or hostile fire pay. During enemy engagement, the soldier must perform in accordance with all rules of engagement, and the event must have happened after September 18, 2001. CABs may be awarded by any commander who has been delegated that authority by the Secretary of the Army. 

The History of the Purple Heart and Its Predecessor

Retired from service in the U.S. Army, Colt Bulot was active with airborne operations for many years. Having earned Belgian and Italian Airborne wings, Colt Bulot was also decorated with the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in combat.

The oldest U.S. military decoration still in existence, the Purple Heart was preceded by the Fidelity Medallion, which was established by the Continental Congress in 1780. Known as the Badge of Military Merit at its inception in 1782, the decoration was designed by George Washington as a cloth purple heart and reflected both “extraordinary fidelity and essential service,” as well as “unusual gallantry in battle.” This criterion was pioneering for the era, as a majority of military awards up to that time were reserved for officers who had achieved victory, rather than rank-and-file soldiers.

The Purple Heart took its present name and look in 1932, with General Douglas MacArthur working on the update project as part of George Washington’s birthday bicentennial celebration. The renamed Purple Heart was now positioned as a combat decoration that recognized solders who were killed or wounded in combat, as well as those who performed commendable action in battle.

With approximately 1.8 million Purple Heart medals having been awarded over the centuries, the only U.S. president who received the decoration was John F. Kennedy.