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Greenwood Designates Parking for Wounded Vets

Greenwood Democrat - 4/3/2018

Earlier this year Greenwood, was proclaimed a Purple Heart City during the Ceremony at Greenwood City Hall.

Now combat veterans that have been wounded in battle will have their own reserved parking spaces around town.

"We want to honor those that were wounded while protecting this country," said Carder Ferguson with the Military Order of the Purple Heart. "With Greenwood being such a patriotic community it is really nice to have this here."

Sebastian County has been recognized as a Purple Heart County. Ferguson said that his goal is to make every county and city in the state a Purple Heart County and City.

There will be three reserved parking spaces at this time; one at Farmer's Bank, city hall and the courthouse. More signs are planned around town but the group can only order three signs at a time.

"Greenwood is leading the way," said Ferguson. "They are the first to put these signs up in Sebastian County

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 posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.

The organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart,"was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Composed exclusively of Purple Heart recipients, it is the only veterans service organization comprised strictly of wounded combat veterans.

Chartered by Congress in 1958, The Military Order of the Purple Heart is composed of military men and women who received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat.

The Badge of Military Merit is the oldest known United States military decoration still in use. However, there was one other decoration awarded to members of the Continental Army that pre-dated even the Badge of Military Merit.

Under the National Americanism Program The Military Order of the Purple Heart continues to research the origins and history of the Badge of Military Merit and the Purple Heart Medal in honor of those who have sacrificed their lives or well being in the service of their country.

On hand for the ceremony were James Frye, 587 Commander, Joe McGuire and Carder Ferguson.