Where is the Purple Heart city?

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.

Department will provide 2 free welcome to our purple heart community road signs for any city or county, extra signs will cost $40 each.

We just ask you work with your county veteran service officer, to have them send out invites to the ceremony to every purple heart veteran in the community and, also include our membership form.

After please send us a copy of the proclamation.

click on-

Go To Guide Samples

MOPH-Membership-Form

MN map 1-27-2019

Associate Application

Proclamation

Military Order Purple Heart Bylaws – June 2, 2017, Amended August 15, 2017, Amended August 2, 2018, Amended July 10, 2019

GUIDELINE TO ESTABLISH A PURPLE HEART CITY or COUNTY

Here are some tips and suggestions on establishing a Purple Heart City or County. This is just a guide to assist in your efforts, and does not proclaim to be the “End-All” in the procedure.

I use a County Board of Supervisors (BOS) in the below outline, however, you can use the same information for a City Council or Board of Commissioners, etc. First, find out who on your BOS is the Veteran’s contact person. If there is no Supervisor assigned to this, contact the Board Chairperson or County person known to you, and ask for a face-to-face meeting.

Have with you a copy of the example Proclamation (click for two examples), and suggest they can use it as a guide in making their own. Be prepared to explain what your intent is ie, honoring all those who have sacrificed for their country .. those killed or wounded in combat ….

Make sure you advise him/her that it’s cost neutral; that it will not cost the County any money … any incurred cost will be absorbed by your chapter – such as plaques, highway signs, etc. This is an important point, as knowing that there is no cost involved will resolve any fiscal issue that might inhibit action.

You will probably be referred to the County Clerk to work up the Proclamation. Be sure she/he sends you a draft copy for your review and approval – before it’s finalized. It’s important you agree with the verbiage.
Once the Proclamation is firmed up, ask that the BOS presentation be placed on the agenda at least two weeks in advance. This gives you time to contact other Veterans organizations to attend the meeting, and for you to contact the newspaper / radio to publicize the event. Invite as many veterans you can – Ladies, other vets, all your members, etc.

If your BOS meetings are televised, ask the cameraman for copies on DVD – they may charge you, but some may honor our non-profit status and waive any charge. If they won’t waive the cost, pay the money – it’s well worth it to have a DVD of the presentation. If no filming is available, assign someone to video it.

Be prepared to give a short acceptance speech (if given the opportunity). They are honoring Purple Heart veterans, and they should receive recognition for doing so. If you can, bring enough of your Department coins / pins, etc. to present to all the Supervisors – don’t forget the County / City Attorney, Clerk of the Board, Chief Administrative Officer, City Manager etc. Everyone who sits facing the audience should get one.

After the awards, Chapters gather outside and take lot of still pictures – some are submitted to, and were published in, the Purple Heart Magazine, others can feature in the Purple Hat Press.

Please keep your Department and Regional Commander appraised of your progress. As the National Coordinator of the program, I will need legislative confirmation (a copy of the resolution or proclamation) along with an address, specifically a zip code. Once confirmed, I will post it on the National web-site.

It is suggested you send the Proclamation / Resolution to your Department Commander, who will send it to your Regional Commander, who will send it to me (scanned copy in email). It is very important your chain-of-command be kept in the ‘loop’.

The above can also be used as an outline for a Purple Heart State, by contacting a State Legislator who would be willing to introduce a Bill or Resolution.

On February 22, 2018, a memorial dedication was held at Joe Stock Memorial Park where the Purple Heart Monument now resides to honor our local Purple Heart recipients.

During a November 2017 Council meeting, Mayor Andy Arnold said this proclamation is a great way to honor Purple Heart recipients in the area and asked that all citizens show their appreciation for the sacrifices made by the Purple Heart recipients in defending the freedoms we all share.

"It is an honor to be a Purple Heart City," Arnold said during the February 2018memorial dedication.

“This monument that we dedicate today represents those wounded in combat and those that gave their lives in the service of their country,” Brooks said during the memorial dedication.

Brooks said there are around 100 Purple Heart recipients who reside in the county.

Brooks said, in World War I, Walker County lost 19 men who served in the defense of freedom.

In World War II, the county lost 83 men serving in combat, Brooks said.

He said 16 local combat soldiers died while serving in Korea as well as 31 reported soldier casualties in Vietnam.

“Their sacrifice was everything and it enables us to enjoy the freedoms that so many take for granite,” Brooks said.

Brooks said the monument does not—in any manner—glorify war, but gives respect to those that were killed or wounded while serving the country.

What is the Purple Heart?

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President of the United States to soldiers who were either killed or wounded while serving the country on or after April 5, 1917.

What does it mean if a city is a Purple Heart city?

What is a Purple Heart County mean?

How many Purple Heart states are there?

What states are Purple Heart States?