(ROCKWALL, TX — October 30, 2017) A Rockwall County Commissioners Court proclamation was presented Oct. 24 to recognize Rockwall County as a “Purple Heart County” and designate the day as “Purple Heart Day” in the county.
Seven Purple Heart recipients attended the Tuesday meeting of Rockwall County Commissioners Court to hear County Commissioner Lee Gilbert read the proclamation. After the reading, county commissioners voted to approve the proclamation.
The proclamation designated Oct. 24 as the day in Rockwall County to remember and recognize veterans who are recipients of the Purple Heart medal.
County commissioners also proclaimed Rockwall County as a “Purple Heart County” for “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.”
Gilbert said the special designation and opportunity to honor Purple Heart recipients was the idea of Linda Flannery of the Rockwall County Veterans Service Office.
Along with the Purple Heart recipients, others present for the proclamation presentation included Texas Senator Bob Hall and Jon Lunkwicz of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Lunkwicz said the Military Order of the Purple Heart is a congressionally-chartered organization founded in 1932 “to honor the men and women who by an inch here or there wouldn’t be with us today, but they were wounded in battle. I want to thank them for their service.”
Following is the proclamation read by Gilbert:
“Whereas, the people of the county of Rockwall 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, the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use and was initially created as the badge of military merit by George Washington in 1782; and
“Whereas, the Purple Heart was the first American service award or decoration made available to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the United States armed forces who have been wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat with a declared enemy of the United States of America; and
“Whereas, the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women from Rockwall County, Texas, 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 . . .”
Submitted press release.
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