By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Westborough – Westborough now has the honor becoming the first community in the commonwealth to be designated as a “Purple Heart” town.
The Purple Heart, the United States military's oldest decoration, is given to those who have been wounded or killed while serving in combat. It was established by George Washington in 1782.
During its July 9 meeting the Board of Selectmen formally approved a proclamation noting the designation. The proclamation reads in part:
“Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Westborough Board of Selectmen does hereby proclaim the Town of Westborough as a Purple Heart Town, honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation's men and women in uniform wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.”
Selectman Denny Drewry, is a service officer for the state's Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) and is a recipient of the prestigious award himself. The group, he said, has recently been pursuing an initiative for communities to become Purple Heart towns or cities as a way to honor local recipients. Working with Mass. MOPH Commander, Leo Agnew, Drewry was able to have the appropriate paperwork come before the Westborough selectmen.
Approximately eight years ago, he said, the U.S. Post Office had released a special stamp in honor of Purple Heart recipients. At the time, the town had a small gathering at the Westborough Post Office to honor the town's residents who had received the designation.
“We had about 8 or 9 [people],” he said. “We are sure there are more and we's like to honor them as well.”
As such, Drewry hopes to establish a database of all Westborough Purple Heart honorees. To do so, he is encouraging residents or family members to mail him copy of the paperwork noting the designation. ?In the future, Drewry said, he would like to see the town hold a bigger ceremony to acknowledge all of Westborough's recipients. ?Copies of the paperwork may be mailed to: Denny Drewry, Westborough Town Hall, 34 West Main St., Westborough, MA 01581.
Here is the full proclamation:
PROCLAMATION
TOWN OF WESTBOROUGH
A PURPLE HEART TOWN ~
WHEREAS, the people of the Town of Westborough have great admiration and the utmost gratitude for all the men and women who have selflessly served their country and this community in the Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, veterans have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their families and communities and placing themselves in harm's way for the good of all; and
WHEREAS, the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women from Westborough who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens; and
WHEREAS, many men and women in uniform have given their lives while serving in the Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, many citizens of our community have earned the Purple Heart Medal as a result of being wounded while engaged in combat with an enemy force, construed as a singularly meritorious act of essential service; and
WHEREAS, July 9, 2013 has officially been designated as the day in the Town of Westborough to remember and recognize veterans who are recipients of the Purple Heart Medal.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Westborough Board of Selectmen does hereby proclaim the Town of Westborough as a Purple Heart Town, honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation's men and women in uniform wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.
Given this ninth day of July, two thousand and thirteen by the Westborough Board of Selectmen.
Ian Johnson, Chair????? ? ????????? ??George Barrette, Vice Chair ?????? Timothy A. Dodd
Denzil Drewry??????????????????????? ???????? Leigh Emery