Texas representatives of the Military Order of the Purple Heart were on hand at Monday’s City Council meeting to present the Council with a metal plaque designating Richardson as a Purple Heart City. The presentation followed a reading of a “Purple Heart City” proclamation by Mayor Paul Voelker that acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices made by all members of the Armed Forces, particularly Purple Heart recipients. The City was nominated for the designation by a local Purple Heart recipient. The Purple Heart is specifically awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed in combat.

Achieving the designation is part of the City’s ongoing support of veterans, in line with the City Council’s 2019-21 Tactics. That support, as outlined Monday by City staff, includes special benefits for veterans employed by the City, City-sponsored Veteran’s Day ceremonies and a Veterans Partnership Initiative (VPI) website. Future plans include partnering with local veterans to renovate Memorial Park and re-tooling the veterans’ oral history program at the Library.

Website: www.cor.net/vpi