City of Prattville Designated as a Purple Heart City
August 6-7, 2013
On August 6th, 2013, the Prattville City Council unanimously passed a resolution to designate the City of Prattville as a Purple Heart City. We also held a press conference in front of City Hall on August 7th to make our announcement and for Leslie Digman, Commander of the Military Order of Purple Heart Chapter 2205 and MOPH member and Purple Heart medal recipient Steve Horton to present the City with a Purple Heart City flag and plaque to be displayed with pride.
RESOLUTION
[To Declare the City of Prattville a Purple Heart City.]
{Sponsored By: Councilor Boles}
WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is the oldest decoration in present use and was initially created as the Badge of Military merit by General George Washington on August 7, 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 any member of the United States Armed Services wounded or killed in combat with a declared enemy of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Military Order of Purple Heart, chartered by an Act of Congress, is to foster an environment of goodwill among the combat wounded veteran members and their families, promote patriotism, support legislative initiatives and most importantly make sure we never forget; and
WHEREAS, the Tri-County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1349 and the American Legion Post 122 are both located in Prattville and have granted their full support to this initiative; and
WHEREAS, Highway 31, a Blue Star Highway runs through the City of Prattville, and our city is adjacent to I-65, which is part of the National Purple Heart Trail; and
WHEREAS, the City of Prattville was the founder and home to River Region Honor Flight, which honored all World War II veterans and encompassed many Purple Heart medal recipients; and
WHEREAS, the City of Prattville has had several residents make the ultimate sacrifice in all of the world wars since 1898 and has a number of residents that have been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat; 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
WHEREAS, this is the 231st anniversary of the medal’s creation by General George Washington.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Prattville that the City of Prattville shall be declared a Purple Heart City in the State of Alabama.
