The city of Dunwoody is now a Purple Heart City.
During the city’s Memorial Day event on Monday, May 30, at Brook Run Park, Mayor Denis Shortal, a retired Marine Brigadier General, read a proclamation honoring veterans and proclaiming Dunwoody a Purple Heart City.
Sandy Springs will officially become a Purple Heart City on June 7 and will hold a dinner to celebrate the status.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart, a Virginia-based nonprofit organization, has a program encouraging cities to brand themselves with signage and ceremonies declaring “Purple Heart City” status to recognize veterans, especially those who were wounded in action. The Purple Heart is a U.S. military decoration recognizing those wounded or killed during service.
The Dunwoody proclamation reads:
WHEREAS, the people of the city of Dunwoody, Georgia 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, veterans have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their families and communities and placing themselves in harm’s way for the good of all; and
WHEREAS, the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women from the city of Dunwoody 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, construed as a singularly meritorious act of essential service; and
WHEREAS, the city of Dunwoody honors our nation’s men and women in uniform, and by designating the city of Dunwoody as a Purple Heart City, acknowledge the sacrifices of so many.
There is also an active interest in establishing the Cities of Brookhaven and Chamblee as Purple Heart Cities.–Tom Reilly, VFW