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The city of Dunedin two years ago was the
first in the nation to become a Purple Heart City. This month it is
continuing to honor veterans by dedicating Purple Heart Park in the
city’s downtown. A special ceremony to dedicate the new park
is planned for 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, coinciding with the
National Day of Recognition.
“The City of Dunedin is blazing the
trail for other cities in the country to follow suit,” James
Randalls, past national commander of the Military Order of the
Purple Heart, said. “Based on my experience in Dunedin we are
now looking to adopt other cities to become Purple Heart Cities and
Dunedin has led the way to make this possible.”
The City of Dunedin became the first city
in the country to become a Purple Heart City on Aug. 3, 2006. On
Aug. 7, 2007 a small ceremony took place and two trees were planted
to honor veterans. With the hard work and dedication of local
resident Danny Sowder, commander of the order’s JFK Chapter
1963 of Dunedin, this year the city will dedicate Purple Heart Park
at the corner of Main Street and Broadway, highlighted with a
special monument and Walk of Honor.
Parkland has been donated in Downtown
Dunedin to host the monument and commemorative bricks will be
displayed through the park to create The Walk of Honor. Bricks are
available for purchase by the public for $100 and will be engraved
in memory or in honor of Purple Heart Recipients. More information
about the event and the bricks can be found
atwww.dunedingov.com.
“In recognition of Purple Heart Day
on Aug. 7, please join me in honoring the men and women who have
borne the scars of battle,” Governor Charlie Crist said in a
statement.
“Purple Heart Day is an excellent
opportunity to thank Florida’s patriots for all they have
done for us and to recognize their selfless sacrifices. The history
of the Purple Heart dates back to Aug. 7, 1782, when General George
Washington originally created the Badge of Military Merit. The
United States revived and renamed the decoration the Purple Heart
on Feb. 22, 1932.
“Florida honors its Purple Heart
heroes and to show our gratitude, the state grants free
undergraduate tuition at state colleges and universities for
Florida recipients of the Purple Heart,” Crist said.
“Florida also has a special license plate available to those
awarded the Purple Heart.”
Purple Heart Park is located at the corner
of Main St. and Broadway St. in Downtown Dunedin. The Dunedin City
Commission will be in attendance along with many local veterans and
Purple Heart Recipients. Others expected to attend are U.S.
Representative C.W. Bill Young along with a representative from the
office of Governor Charlie Crist. The event is free and open to the
public. Immediately following the event attendees are invited to
visit the Chamber of Commerce across the street for refreshments
and a short clip from Ken Burns “The War.”
Dunedin has achieved a number of
“firsts” recently. In addition to being the First
Purple Heart City, this year it was named home of the
nation’s best beach, Caladesi Island, and last year was named
“Top Small Walkable City” by www.runtheplanet.com
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