Why is Sisters a Purple Heart City?

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What makes a city a Purple Heart city?
What does it mean to be a Purple Heart county?
Why is it called Purple Heart?
Why is Fairborn a Purple Heart city?

The purpose and meaning of a city/community to being called a Purple Heart City is to honor and remember military personnel wounded or killed in combat with hostile forces. 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 then known as the Badge of Military Merit. It is the nation's oldest military medal.

This past Aug. 7 the city of Framingham's Memorial Building was illuminated with purple lights in honor of Purple Heart Day. These purple lights shone for one week to honor the brave men and women that were awarded the Purple Heart.

I was 11 years old in 1945 when I remember there was 13,800 wounded soldiers from all over New England being administered outstanding care at Cushing General U.S. Army Hospital on Dudley Road in Framingham. It was known as a “Place of Mercy.” It is now known as Cushing Memorial Park named after the WW I brain surgeon Dr. Harvey Cushing.

I strongly feel that it would be most fitting to have the city of Framingham, the city that “Opened Up its Heart” in 1944-46 during WW II, not only to acknowledge, but to be proud to join the growing list of Purple Heart Cities/Communities all over this United States. It is about time FRAMINGHAM! Let us awaken from our slumber. Let’s get it done.

SFC Nick Paganella

Framingham

U.S. Army (Ret)

Korean War Veteran

Mayor Michelle Distler announced on Monday, June 28, 2021 that Shawnee has been designated a Purple Heart City. We are honored to be recognized alongside other cities and counties who have taken the necessary steps to be included in this national recognition for our veterans who paid the ultimate price. Several service members were present while the Mayor read the proclamation. The Department of Missouri Military Order of the Purple Heart Sergeant-at-Arms Walter Schley presented the City a plaque honoring the Purple Heart City designation.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart started the Purple Heart Trail, which is a collective effort where cities and counties display the Purple Heart logo on their street signs and markers to serve as a reminder for anyone who might notice them to keep gratitude and reverence for the price of our freedom at the present.

For more information about this recognition initiative, head here.

City of Waynesville, Mo Purple Heart City plaque.

The City of Waynesville joined sister city, Saint Robert, as a Purple Heart City on March 21, 2013. Waynesville is now part of the Purple Heart Trail along Interstate 44. The City of Saint Robert became the first city on the Interstate 44 corridor to become a Purple Heart City on the Purple Heart Trail January 7, 2013. Waynesville is the fifth city in Missouri to receive the Purple Heart City designation, joining in the states effort to honor those veterans who have been wounded or killed while in military service to our country. The declaration follows legislative action which made Missouri’s entire sections of Interstate 44 and 70 a Purple Heart Trail.

A Purple Heart City is a community with “great admiration and gratitude for the men and women who have served this country.”

Commander Everett Kelley, of Buffalo, and long-time Waynesville resident, SGM (Retired) Edgar Irizarry presented a flag and plaque to the City making that designation. Mayor Luge Hardman stated that the City is “honored to be included in this designation, as we honor the service of our valiant military.” The City of Waynesville will proudly fly the Purple Heart flag on special days.

Ret SGM Edgar Izizarry and Commander Everett Kelley present the Purple Heart City flag to Waynesville Mayor, Luge Hardman. The flag will proudly be flown on special days.

The Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to be a symbolic trail throughout all 50 states to commemorate and honor all men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the U.S. armed forces. The Purple Heart Trail originates in Mount Vernon, Va., and traverses the United States to California.

The designation of both St. Robert and Waynesville as Purple Heart Cities is another indicator of the prevalent patriotism that runs deep in Pulaski County USA.

www.purpleheart.org

www.waynesvillemo.org

www.pulaskicountyusa.com

What makes a city a Purple Heart city?

The purpose of being a Purple Heart City is to express gratitude to the sons and daughters of our community who were either wounded or killed in combat defending the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans. There are more than 900 Purple Heart locations in the United States, honoring the 1.6 million Purple Heart recipients.

What does it mean to be a Purple Heart county?

This designation affirms that county government and the Veterans Services Division recognize those in our community who gave their lives or were wounded in combat defending our American freedom.

Why is it called Purple Heart?

The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration still presented to service members. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor estimates that 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been issued since it was re-established in 1932. It is believed that the award is purple because the color represents courage and bravery.

Why is Fairborn a Purple Heart city?

FAIRBORN, Ohio (WKEF-WRGT) - Wright Patterson Air Force Base is making history today. It's now the first active duty Purple Heart base in the country. The purple heart is a decoration awarded to soldiers who have been killed or wounded while serving.