On August 6th the City of DeSoto was officially designated as a Purple Heart City by the Military Order of the Purple Heart for being a Veteran-Friendly City that is home to close to 3,000 US Military Veterans. At the time the order’s local chapter, DFW Mid-Cities Chapter #1513 presented the City of DeSoto with three Purple Heart City signs and one parking sign showing that a Parking Space is reserved for a Combat Wounded Veteran. On Saturday, August 31st the City of DeSoto held a ceremonial unveiling at a parking space adjacent to the DeSoto Public Library, just yards away from City Hall and the City’s Civic Center.
“We are incredibly proud of all of our US Military Veterans, especially those who have been wounded in combat and who have returned to DeSoto where they inspire us daily and enrich our community through their deeds and their presence,” said Mayor Rachel Proctor who participated in Saturday’s unveiling. “We want our Purple Heart Veterans to know that DeSoto is their city! By posting these signs and reserving this parking space we let them and the rest of the world know we love and cherish our brave Purple Heart Veterans as well as their colleagues who served or who are on active duty. They can all feel at home in DeSoto!”
Gus Wittschack Military Order of the Purple Heart Region V commander, also commented on DeSoto’s welcoming climate for our Veterans. Said Commander Wittschack, “The Military Order of the Purple Heart has been very impressed at the level of support and commitment by the City of DeSoto. I am personally excited about the parking spot, we have done a few of them, but the attention to detail in Desoto’s is impressive. I can’t wait to park in one myself!”
The signage recognizing DeSoto’s Purple Heart City status is now in place at the following locations in DeSoto. Since these are roadways with active traffic, please obey all traffic laws and take all necessary safety precautions for yourself and other motorists or pedestrians if you intend to view the signs.
- PURPLE HEART CITY SIGN: Westbound Pleasant Run Road in the median just outside of the Southwest Exit of the Crossing Shopping Center where Kroger is located. This is just west of 35E on Pleasant Run Road and East of Pecan Crossing Drive.
- PURPLE HEART CITY SIGN: Westmoreland & Beltline Road Intersection adjacent to the Eastbound lanes on Beltline.
- PURPLE HEART CITY SIGN: Hampton Road & Danieldale Road Intersection. On Southbound lanes of Hampton Road at Danieldale Road.
- RESERVED (PARKING FOR) COMBAT WOUNDED SIGN: Adjacent to the DeSoto Public Library, 211 E. Pleasant Run Road, in the DeSoto Town Center campus area.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart is a congressionally chartered Veterans organization that consists of veterans who were wounded in combat and recognized by being awarded the Purple Heart medal. This organization is dedicated to the support and advocacy for its gallant members and their families.
Links to raw video from today’s event:
Opening ceremony with DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor: https://app.box.com/s/iai7lf9gs1jk0j44ieraful8va32a1js
Unveiling of DeSoto’s Purple Heart Combat Wounded Reserved Parking Sign: https://app.box.com/s/o48m17o6xhyxb1a5ca10jep6ta1m4nu9
Eric Newton Senior Vice Commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter #1513 pulls his vehicle into DeSoto’s newly designated Combat Wounded reserved parking space. Eric fought in both Vietnam and Iraq and spoke about his experience after he pulled into the space and became the first wounded veterans to park in DeSoto’s new space: https://app.box.com/s/11n8abarrz108nk4vpuinzbdq2uoh3hc
