WALKER-Cass County commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday, Aug. 7, to proclaim the county a Purple Heart county.
This proclamation is to "honor the service and sacrifice of our nation's men and women in uniform wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans."
Chuck Jones, Minnesota Order of the Purple Heart chairman and a Purple Heart recipient, brought the first few signs to the board Tuesday, which Cass County plans to mount on all county road signs at its borders.
"The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action," according to Cass County Veterans Services Officer Jeff Woodford.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration, Woodford explained, adding, it is the only veterans service organization comprised strictly of combat veterans.
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The group annually distributes Purple Heart Viola flowers as an annual fundraiser and also raises money through thrift stores. Jones said it gives donated cars and supplies assistance to needy Purple Heart veterans and their families and provides bags of items to help veterans' hospital stays be more comfortable.
Five Purple Heart recipients attended Tuesday's meeting at the courthouse in Walker.
They include Ray Hines, Ben Dykema, Wayne Bruss, Dan Dierkhising and John Warren.
Nationwide, the Military Order of the Purple Heart now has 46,000 members, according to Woodford.
Wives, mothers and adopted daughters of Purple Heart recipients are eligible to belong to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, which provides work in veterans' hospitals, Woodford said.
