HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of National City - Designation as a "Purple Heart City" (City Manager)City of National City - Designation as a "Purple Heart City"
The Purple Heart organization would like to get all cities, counties and state
governments behind this effort. The following information is provided on the
organization and the Purple Heart medal.
The Purple Heart is specifically a combat decoration and it is our nation's
oldest 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 (3)
soldiers at 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.
Therefore, Chapter 0049 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is
approaching the city of National City for an acknowledgement, via a resolution
and/or City Proclamation, that it is a supporter. In essence, by declaring
National City a supporter, the city would embrace and honor all those who
have sacrificed to protect our country, including Purple Heart holders. Each
year on August 7th, the nation celebrates Purple Heart Day and this would be
a fitting way for the City to acknowledge and celebrate 2013.
Included are sample resolutions and proclamations used by other cities or
counties and information on the current status of cities and counties in
California that have approved the concept. Note: The state of California has
approved and signed a declaration. To give you a wider view from a national
perspective, please consult the following web site to view cities, counties and
states that have approved the concept. See:
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Follow MOPH Chapter 0049 at: http://www.sandieqopurpleheart.com
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WHEREAS, the people of the County of Shasta have great admiration and the utmost
gratitude for all the men and women who have selflessly served their country and this community
in the Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, veterans have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their families and
communities and placing themselves in harm's way for the good of all; and
WHEREAS, the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women from Shasta County
who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life
enjoyed by our citizens; and
WHEREAS, many men and women in uniform have given their lives while serving in the
Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, many citizens of our community have earned the Purple Heart Medal as a
result of being wounded while engaged in combat with an enemy force, construed as a singularly
meritorious act of essential service; and
WHEREAS, September 20, 2011 has officially been designated as the day in
Shasta County to remember and recognize veterans who are recipients of the Purple Heart Medal.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Shasta County Board of Supervisors
hereby proclaims Shasta County as a Purple Heart County, the first County in the nation so
designated, honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation's men and women in uniform
wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.
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les Naugh, Chairman
eseptember 20, 2011
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PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Polk County is located in the heart of Florida and has always supported our
Military Veteran population, now numbering over 50,000; and
WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in use today which evolved from
the Badge of Military Merit created in 1782 by General George Washington for the common
soldier; and
WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces that
have been wounded or killed in combat with a declared enemy of the United States of America;
and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of
goodwill among the combat wounded veteran and their families, promote patriotism, support
legislative initiatives and most importantly, make sure we never forget; and
WHEREAS, Polk County has a large, highly decorated veteran population including an
estimated 4,000 Purple Heart recipients and three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients,
James H. Mills, James R Hendrix and William R. Charette; and
WHEREAS, Navy Corpsman William R. Charette, recipient of the MOH, had the Charette
Health Care Center, a part of the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, dedicated in his
honor on the 30th of April, 1999; and
WHEREAS, we appreciate the sacrifices our Purple Heart recipients have made in defending
our freedoms and believe it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show
them the support they have earned; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I Michael S. Carter, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of
the City of Lake Wales, in the State of Florida, do hereby declare that we are a
Purple Heart City
and fully support our county as one of the first "Purple Heart Counties in the Heart of Florida.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Official Seal of the
City of Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida, to be affixed this 1st day of July 17, 2012.
Mayor/Commissioner
California as of 7-1-
STATE
LOCATION
DATE
REGION
CONF?
California
Anderson, CA 96007
9/20/2011
VI
RS
California
Arvin, CA 93203
1/17/2012
VI
RS
California
Bakersfield, CA 93301
2/16/2012
VI
RS
California
California, USA 93637
4/6/2012
VI
Yes
California
Carlsbad, CA 92008
4/24/2012
VI
Yes
California
Colusa County, CA 95932
Need date
VI
Yes
California
Encinitas, CA 92024
6/20/2012
VI
Yes
California
Escondido, CA 92025
3/28/2012
VI
RS
California
Garden Grove, CA 92840
11/27/2012
VI
Yes
California
Kern County, CA 93301
2/14/2013
VI
RS
California
Los Angeles, CA 90001
10/16/2012
VI
Yes
California
McFarland, CA 93250
2/14/2012
VI
RS
California
Oceanside, CA 92054
4/11/2012
VI
RS
California
Port Hueneme, CA 93041
5/21/2012
VI
RS
California
Redding, CA 96001
9/20/2011
VI
RS
California
Riverside County, CA 92501
6/19/2012
VI
RS
California
Rohnert Park, CA 94926
6/14/2012
VI
RS
California
San Marcos, CA 92069
3/27/2012
VI
RS
California
Shasta County, CA 96087
9/20/2011
VI
RS
California
Shasta Lake, CA 96019
9/20/2011
VI
RS
California
Simi Valley, CA 93062
9/26/2011
VI
RS
California
Tehachapi, CA 93561
4/26/2012
VI
RS
California
Ventura County, CA 93007
6/19/2012
VI
RS