Monroe County Honored Purple Heart Veterans and Became a Purple Heart County

The James Monroe DAR chapter gathered the names of Purple Heart Veterans and honored them at the Purple Heart Proclamation ceremony at the Monroe County Courthouse on Thursday, August 7. Refreshments were served as well. 
Presiding Commissioner, Curt Wheeler, opened the ceremony welcoming everyone, thanking all servicemen for their dedication to their country and sacrifice for our great country, and he was honored to announce that Monroe County is now a Purple Heart County. The ceremony started with the saluting to the Pledge of Allegiance. Wheeler also introduced the speaker of the day, George Mefford who gave the Purple Heart Plaque to Curt Wheeler. 
Mary Beth Mitchell read Proclamation of the Purple Heart. 
Mefford said "Missouri has 114 counties and all but two have been recognized and that is his goal to be the first state to have every county recognized as a Purple Heart County." 
Harry Hunt who was present, and Leland Kramer and Gary Young who were absent were recognized by Beth Whelan. 
A Purple Heart recipient is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who has been wounded or killed in action against an enemy, or because of an act of terrorism or friendly fire. The Purple Heart is a medal awarded in the name of the President of the United States. It is one of the oldest military decorations still presented to U.S. service members. 
The Purple Heart Proclamation refers to the formal recognition and establishment of the Purple Heart medal, which honors U.S. military personnel wounded or killed in action.
Background: The Purple Heart was originally created by George Washington in 1782 as the Badge of Military Merit. It was reestablished as a military decoration by General Douglas MacArthur in 1932.
Significance: The medal symbolizes sacrifice and bravery in combat. It is awarded to service members who have been wounded or killed by enemy action.
Proclamation Details: The proclamation outlines the criteria for receiving the Purple Heart. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by military personnel.
Current Use: The Purple Heart is one of the oldest military decorations still in use today. It is awarded posthumously to the families of those who die from their wounds.