Why is Fairborn a Purple Heart city?

Jerry H. Ferrell, a disabled military veteran and Fairborn, Ohio, resident, is on a mission to honor Purple Heart recipients. London city council recently voted to support that mission.

Ferrell’s quest is to have parking spots designated in each of Ohio’s 88 counties for use only by Purple Heart recipients.

“It’s a way for the community to say, ‘Thank you for your service,’ and a way to make those veterans’ lives a little easier in their own towns,” said Ferrell, whose uncle was a Purple Heart recipient in World War II and whose father served in the military.

The Purple Heart is a combat medal awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action.

Ferrell came up with the parking spots idea through his involvement with state and regional veterans organizations. Members challenge themselves to pick a goal or project each year. For his Purple Heart parking project, Ferrell handles all the promotion and logistics and personally covers all expenses.

So far, he has succeeded in having approximately 25 spots set aside and signs installed in various communities. The spots can be found at government offices, businesses, churches, schools and medical facilities. The first sign was installed at the Fairborn municipal building. One of the latest will be at the Madison County Courthouse in London.

Ferrell attended the Aug. 19 London city council meeting to inform city leaders of his project. Several expressed support.

“I am a Vietnam veteran, and I appreciate what you’re doing. There’s too many of them guys that get forgotten,” said council member Rich Hays.

“I think it’s very important that we recognize our veterans at every opportunity. I come from a family of a lot of veterans…It makes it near and dear to my heart,” said council member Carla Blazier.

Hays sponsored legislation to officially designate the southernmost parking space on the west side of North Main Street, between High and Fourth streets, for use only by Purple Heart recipients. The spot is located near the veterans monument on the courthouse lawn. The legislation came before council for a vote on Sept. 2. Council passed it unanimously.

Ferrell has set up a Facebook page, “Ohio Patriotism,” to document his progress as he works to get signs installed across the state.

The Purple Heart is specifically a combat decoration and it is our nation’s oldest military medal. It was first created by General George Washington in 1782 and was known as the Badge of Military Merit. It was first awarded to three soldiers in Newburgh, N.Y. The Badge of Military Merit was made of cloth and it is the predecessor of the Purple Heart medal.

The current Purple Heart medal was developed by General Douglas MacArthur in 1932. The new design was created by Miss Elisabeth Will, an Army heraldic specialist in the Office of the Quartermaster General. The revived form is of metal, instead of perishable cloth, made in the shape of a rich purple heart bordered with gold, with a bust of Washington in the center and the Washington coat-of-arms at the top.

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. The heritage it represents is sacred to those who understand the price paid to wear it.

Now, New Carlisle has become a “Purple Heart City,” the first in Clark County to carry that designation.

City Manager Kimberly Jones said Mayor Lowell McGlothin spoke with Purple Heart State Senior Vice-Commander Dave Bauer about the idea as American Legion Post 236 held its annual Flag Retirement Ceremony.

A ceremony was held at last week’s City Council meeting, where Bauer presented plaques for the mayor and the city. The ceremony also included the playing of “Taps.”

McGlothlin calls the designation ” a significant thing” for him, since he served in the United States Marine Corps, and “a definite positive for New Carlisle.”

The proclamation issued by the city states “the Military Order of the Purple Heart organization was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who received the combat decoration, is composed exclusively of Purple Heart recipients, and is the only Congressionally chartered veterans service organization comprised strictly of combat veterans.”

It goes on to mention that the organization was “chartered by an act of Congress in 1958” and “the estimated 1/7 million veterans since World War I who have been awarded this medal of honor.”

It concludes by stating, “Now, therefore, I, Lowell McGlothlin, mayor of New Carlisle … on behalf of the City Council and the citizens of New Carlisle … proudly accept the official designation of ‘Purple Heart City’ and confirm commitment to honor those who serve and have served so faithfully in defense of our freedoms as Americans and gratefully acknowledge their sacrifice, bravery and unwavering commitment as patriots.”

The city also received a Purple Heart Flag, and Jones indicated they’re now deciding the best place to fly it. McGlothlin said one possibility is the large flagpole on Main Street, near the corner with Jefferson Street.

Other area communities that are “Purple Heart Cities” include Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Fairborn and Springboro.

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