Perry, Oklahoma - Purple Heart City Designation

Perry is a city in north-central Oklahoma with a population of 5,059 (2013 Census). It is the county seat of Noble County, and the home of Charles Machine Works, manufacturer of “Ditch Witch” machinery. A Special Recognition Award, recognizing Perry, Oklahoma as the first city in the State of Oklahoma to be designated as a Purple Heart City, was presented during a special ceremony on April 4, 2015. The presentation took place following an earlier publication of a City Proclamation declaring itself a Purple Heart City on February 19, 2015. Presenting the Award were Sergeant First Class (SFC) James Battles, Jr., U.S. Army (Retired) and Frank Casson, representing the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Chapter 820. Receiving the Award on behalf of the City of Perry was Mayor Gordon J. Johnson. Other dignitaries at the ceremony included Oklahoma State Representatives, and female State Senator A.J. Griffin, as well as Purple Heart recipients, and city veterans. The MOPH Award reads: THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD IS BESTOWED WITH PRIDE TO THE CITY OF PERRY, OKLAHOMA FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SUPPORT HONORING AMERICA’S COMBAT WOUNDED VETERANS, AS THE FIRST PURPLE HEART CITY IN OKLAHOMA. PRESENTED BY THE PATRIOT MEMBERS OF OKLAHOMA CHAPTER 820 MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART U.S.A. The formal City of Perry, Oklahoma Proclamation No. 2015-01 was presented by Mayor Gordon J. Johnson at the City Council meeting on February 19, 2015, as follows: WHEREAS, the City of Perry, Oklahoma has always supported its military veteran population; and WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use and was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington in 1782; and WHEREAS, the Purple Heart was the first American service award or decoration made available to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat with a declared enemy of the United States of America; and WHEREAS, The mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of goodwill among the combat-wounded veteran members and their families, promote patriotism, support legislative initiatives, and most importantly – make sure we never forget; and WHEREAS, the Perry area has a large, highly decorated veteran population including many Purple Heart recipients; and WHEREAS, Perry appreciates the sacrifices our Purple Heart recipients made in defending our freedoms and believe it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them the honor and support they have earned. NOW, THEREFORE, The City Council of the City of Perry, Oklahoma, do hereby proclaim the City of Perry as A PURPLE HEART CITY. And encourages the citizens of the City of Perry to show their appreciation for the sacrifices the Purple Heart recipients have made in defending our freedoms, to acknowledge their courage, and to show them the honor and support they have earned. Approved and passed this 19th day of February 2015. The City of Perry, Oklahoma The Proclamation is signed by Mayor Johnson, attested by Dixie Johnson, City Clerk, approved as to form by Mary Rupp, City Manager, and Sealed. Distinctive highway signs announcing the city’s status as a Purple Heart City are placed on the primary entrances to the city (US Hwy 64/Fir St. & US Hwy 77 north & OK State Hwy 86/4th St. south). (Note: The process of being designated and formally recognized as a Purple Heart City by the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) is based on a number of criteria and is a cooperative venture between the city and the MOPH. The process begins with the recognition by the city that a number of its citizens have been awarded the Purple Heart as a result of serving as a member in, or with the Armed Forces of the United States, and having been killed or wounded, or died of wounds while engaged in armed combat with an enemy force, or as a result of international terrorism, or being a Prisoner of War. The city then formally proclaims itself as a Purple Heart City that appreciates the sacrifices of its Purple Heart recipients and pledges to honor and support them. The MOPH prepares a formal certification and presents a Special Recognition Award to the city to recognize their special status. Local MOPH chapters provide distinctive Purple Heart City signs for display on major roadway entrances to the city. The MOPH pays for all costs associated with the designation, procurement, installation and maintenance of signs. There is no cost to the municipality.) (Note: MOPH was chartered by Congress in 1958, as a veterans’ organization. Members are men and women who were awarded the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is America’s oldest military decoration, dating from 1782. MOPH National Headquarters is located in Springfield, Virginia. The Purple Heart City designation is a program initiative of MOPH.)