RISON - Cleveland County officially became a "Purple Heart County" with a formal proclamation made by County Judge Melody during Monday night's quorum court meeting.
With about a dozen veterans in attendance, Quinton Ezeagwula, commander of the Military Organization of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Chapter 431 of Little Rock, read the proclamation from Spears that formally designates Cleveland County as Purple Heart county.
As noted in the proclamation, what is now the Purple Heart was first created as the Badge of Military Merit by George Washington in 1782, making it the oldest military decoration still in use. It was the first American service award made available to the common soldier, and is awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces that is wounded or killed in combat with a declared enemy of the U.S.
The proclamation went on to read: "Whereas, many residents of Cleveland County have made the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives in the cause of freedom, and numerous combatwounded veterans currently reside within Cleveland County, and "Whereas, we appreciate the sacrifices that our Purple Heart recipients have made in defending our freedoms and believe it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them the support that they have earned, and (continued from page 1) "Whereas, Cleveland County wishes to pledge is strong support to the Military Order of the Purple Heart and for those who have and continue to put their lives at risk in the service of our Country and for their fellow citizens, "Now therefore, I, Melody Spears, Judge of Cleveland County, Arkansas, do hereby proclaim Cleveland County to be recognized as a 'Purple Heart County'." During the ceremony, Spears asked all veterans in attendance to come forward to be recognized. Those included Army veterans Paul Sims, Paul Martin, Allen Wilson, Roger McClellan, and Bruce Brown; Navy veterans Greg Herron and Skipper Hipp, and Marine veterans Jimmy Cummin...
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