FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Collinsville,
January 25, 2018 - Collinsville, Oklahoma was the 8th city in
the State of Oklahoma to be designated a Purple Heart City. A
City Proclamation, declaring itself a Purple Heart City, was presented
during a special ceremony on November 6, 2017, during a scheduled
City Council meeting at City Hall. The Proclamation was read by
Mayor Bud York. Other Purple Heart recipients, including Vietnam
War, Granada, Panama, and Gulf War, Navy veteran, Purple Heart
recipient and Commander of Collinsville VFW Post 3077, Jerry Kistner,
attended the ceremony. Later, a MOPH Special Recognition Award,
declaring Collinsville, Oklahoma as a Purple Heart City, was presented
on Veterans Day, November 11, 2017 during a special ceremony,
by Commander Mitch Reed, Chapter 589 of the MOPH and other representatives
to the Mayor. Other Purple Heart recipients, including city veterans,
attended the ceremony.
The Special Recognition Award reads:
THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
IS BESTOWED WITH PRIDE TO THE CITY OF COLLINSVILLE, OKLAHOMA FOR
YOUR DEDICATION AND SUPPORT HONORING AMERICA’S COMBAT WOUNDED
VETERANS, BECOMING THE PURPLE HEART CITY. PRESENTED BY THE PATRIOT
MEMBERS OF ERNEST CHILDERS, CHAPTER 589 MILITARY ORDER OF THE
PURPLE HEART U.S.A.
The formal City of Collinsville Proclamation was read by Mayor
Bud York at the City Council meeting on November 6, 2017, as follows:
WHEREAS, the citizens of Collinsville have great admiration and
gratitude for 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 General
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; and WHEREAS,
the City of Stillwater appreciates the sacrifices our Purple Heart
recipients made in defending our freedoms and acknowledges those
men and women for their courage by showing our support and honor.
NOW, THEREFORE, I Bud York, Mayor of the City of Collinsville,
do hereby proclaim the City of Collinsville as A PURPLE HEART
CITY.
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand caused the Seal
of Collinsville to be affixed this 6th day of November, 2017.
The Proclamation is signed by Mayor York, attested by Angela McGinnis,
City Clerk, and Sealed.
Distinctive signs announcing the city’s status as a Purple
Heart City were donated to the City by the Collinsville Masonic
Lodge #165 and subsequently placed on the primary roadway entrances
to the city.
“The Masons are honored to support those who have so bravely
protected our freedom,” said James Roderick, Head of the
Collinsville Masonic Lodge. “We appreciate the sacrifices
of our Purple Heart recipients.”
Mayor Bud York did the honor of helping to hang one of the signs
in front of the Veterans Building located at 903 W. Main on January
25 surrounded by members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart,
members of the Collinsville VFW Post 3077, and members of the
Collinsville Masonic Lodge #165.
“It was certainly an honor and privilege as Mayor to be a
part of a group of organizations who working together in the spirit
of partnerships, team-building and progress, were able to help
improve our city by bringing about the wonderful recognition of
the sacrifices made by Purple Heart recipients,” said Mayor
York. “It was an honor to help establish Collinsville as
a “Purple Heart Community. My Thanks to all involved.”
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