Purple Heart recipients honored by county commissioners
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County officials took a moment to honor Purple Heart recipients at their board meeting Tuesday.
Purple Hearts are the country’s oldest military decoration, founded in …
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Purple Heart recipients honored by county commissioners
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County officials took a moment to honor Purple Heart recipients at their board meeting Tuesday.
Purple Hearts are the country’s oldest military decoration, founded in 1782 by George Washington. They are given to those wounded in war. With about 35,000 veterans residing in Clay County, it has been recognized as Purple Heart County since May 2015.
There have been 1.8 million Purple Heart recipients in the country’s history. Each year, National Purple Heart Day is commemorated on Aug. 7.
Commissioner Jim Renninger, a U.S. Navy veteran, said it was an honor and privilege to read the proclamation. He said a family member served during the Vietnam War.
“I want to commend all of you,” Renninger said to the group of veterans.
Renninger referred to the county Veteran Services department led by U.S. Army Keith Brandon.
“He’s the glue that holds us all together in trying to organize all the veterans' organizations here in Clay County, of which we have about 25 that attend the Clay Veterans Council,” Renninger said. “They’re early efforts. We’ve had great success so far, but we’ve only started.”
Six veteran Purple Heart recipients shook hands in the hallway outside the meeting chambers after the ceremony.
David Treffinger is the President of Vietnam Veterans of America Col. William G. Byrnes Chapter 1099. He said recognition for receiving a Purple Heart is important and he appreciated the county’s proclamation. He said he never forgot the day he was wounded.
“Just like Vietnam Veterans Day, veterans need to be recognized,” he said.
Harry Silvers, a retired Marine Vietnam veteran, said it took the country 50 years to recognize veterans of the Vietnam War. He said veterans returning from the war were demonized.
“We never got a welcome home or anything,” Silvers said.
Tony D’Aleo was a medic and is Past President of the chapter. He wanted a Vietnam veterans memorial in the county. He mentioned the tens of thousands of U.S. troops who didn’t make it back.
D’Aleo said there were more Purple Heart recipients living in the county who didn’t attend the meeting, but he was proud to be with several friends.
“It’s well deserved and it’s about time,” he said.
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