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Veteran's advocate Joe Schaler led the local effort. State
Representative Tim Butler along with State Senator Bill Brady helped
get the legislation passed denoting Illinois as a Purple Heart
State.
Schaler said Logan County is the first county in Illinois to have
all its cities and villages become Purple Heart communities. And on
a grander scale, Schaler discovered that Logan County is the first
in the United States to achieve this special designation with all
its communities signed.
Schaler thanked the county board for their support, especially
noting the work done by former Board Chairman David Hepler and
current Board Chairman Chuck Ruben.
Mayors and representatives from many of the cities and villages
attended the evening ceremony that was held just prior to the Logan
County Board's June workshop.
Schaler said he was humbled by working with all the mayors including
Atlanta Mayor Fred Finchum, Lincoln Mayor Seth Goodman, Mount
Pulaski Mayor Jim Cole, Elkhart Mayor Lyle Fout, Emden Mayor Mike
Cavanaugh, Hartsburg Mayor Norma Bathe, Latham Mayor Ted Allen,
Middletown Mayor Kenny Johnson and representing Broadwell, Dave Scheckman.
The town of New Holland whose mayor was the late Suzie Aper also
committed to the Purple Heart Community resolutions.
Sadie Bolton
of Lincoln played TAPS during the service. (photo by Melanie Schaler)
Schaler closed by reading a proclamation he had written describing
the Purple Heart Award thanking soldiers for their sacrifice, and
noting that all the cities and villages being Purple Heart
communities is a tribute to our veterans.
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Proclamation
Purple Heart Communities
WHEREAS, the Cities of Atlanta, Lincoln and Mt. Pulaski, the Villages of
Broadwell, Elkhart, Emden, Hartsburg, Latham, Middletown, New Holland, and San
Jose and by virtue of Logan County being a Purple Heart County, we also
recognize the contributions made by the veterans of the Villages of Beason, Lake
Fork, Cornland, Chestnut, Burtonview, and Lawndale all of these Cities and
Villages that reside in the Purple Heart State of Illinois, have always
supported their military veteran population.;
WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use and
was initially created as the Badge of Merit by General George Washington in
1782;
WHEREAS, the Purple Heart was the first American service award or decoration
made available to the common solider and is specifically awarded to members of
the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or to the next of kind
(Gold Star family) of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat with a
declared enemy of the United States of American;
WHEREAS, the mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an
environment of goodwill among the combat-wounded veteran members and their
families, support legislative initiatives, with emphasis on ensuring that all
the needed health and mental care is being provided as well as the compensation
promised to all veterans. Promote patriotism, most importantly – to make sure we
never forget those that gave all of their tomorrows so we could have today;
WHEREAS, the citizens of Logan County appreciate the sacrifices our Purple Heart
recipients made in defending our freedoms and believe it is important that we
acknowledge them for their courage and show them the honor they have earned.
The members of the Hayes/Krell Memorial Chapter 159 of the Military Order of the
Purple Heart are honored to recognize the Cities and Villages represented here
this day, June 15th, 2017 as Purple Heart Communities.
[Angela Reiners]
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