Union County designated a Purple Heart County

Purple Heart: Purple Heart Commander Jimmy Lewis (left) presents Union County Judge Mike Loftin with a plaque designating Union County as a Purple Heart County.
Purple Heart: Purple Heart Commander Jimmy Lewis (left) presents Union County Judge Mike Loftin with a plaque designating Union County as a Purple Heart County.

Union County received the designation as a Purple Heart County at the most recent meeting of the Union County Quorum Court.

Jimmy Lewis, Purple Heart Commander for Chapter 431 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart in Little Rock, visited Thursday's meeting to present Union County Judge Mike Loftin with a plaque giving the county its new designation.

“The Purple Heart is one of the most prestigious awards in the military, because a lot of men and women of your county probably have died or got injured,” Lewis said. “This is showing that you guys are recognizing your veterans for their service and for making this country free.”

Lewis himself is a Purple Heart recipient, he said. He was injured in combat, when he “blew up in a truck” in 2004, injuring his spine and knee.

“It is my honor to be here to do this, because I am from the south, I’m from Star City,” Lewis said. “When I talk to all the south judges … and they are so proud to do this, this makes my day.”

The Purple Heart County designation is part of the Purple Heart Trail program. The Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and begins at a monument in Mt. Vernon, Virginia, the resting place of George Washington, winding through the country, with sections in all 50 states, as well as the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico.

“I know how it is to lose a loved one, because I have had cousins that passed through the military from injuries,” Lewis said.

Union County joins 37 other Arkansas counties, along with many cities, monuments, highways and roads in the state as part of the Purple Heart Trail. Lewis said signs showing the designation would be delivered soon.

“It is my honor to present this to Judge Loftin and Union County, as a Purple Heart County, on May the 16th, 2019,” Lewis concluded, before heading to another county waiting for designation.

The designation comes in time for Memorial Day, where those have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces are recognized for their sacrifice. Many celebrate the holiday by visiting cemeteries and monuments dedicated to those who lost their lives in service to the country. Memorial Day will be observed on May 27.

To learn more about the Purple Heart Trail, visit purpleheart.org.

Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].

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