DECATUR — A unique flag now flies over the Howard-Parrish monument at Decatur's Veterans Park, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the city's Veterans Committee, Janelle Simpson, Kim Wilkins and Bob Tharp.
On March 14, the city of Decatur became the 20th city in the state of Arkansas to become a Purple Heart City.
In a ceremony at Veterans Park April 23, the city raised the Purple Heart Flag over the veterans memorial, making it official.
Matt McClain read the list of the Decatur-area veterans who earned this, the oldest military decoration this country presents to its wounded warriors.
Robert Clinard, Benton County Judge, showed a new sign that proclaimed Benton County a Purple Heart County, one of only four in the state of Arkansas to date. These signs will be placed on both county lines on U.S. Highway 412 and Interstate 49.
Clinard also unveiled the new Purple Heart City sign that will grace the entrance to Veterans Park at Highway 102 and Pat Drive. Five similar signs will be placed at each end of Highways 102 and 59, and Falling Springs Road at the city limits.
Bob Tharp, Decatur mayor, gave a five-minute speech on the importance of remembering not only those who received the Purple Heart but the many veterans from the Civil War through Iraqi Freedom who sacrificed so much to defend freedom around the world.
Tharp also praised the work of the Howard-Parrish Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9834 for the work it does to help support the many area veterans and remember those who perished in the line of duty.
"They are out there doing good and reminding us of our veterans," Tharp said, "what our town has done, given the ultimate sacrifice of our people that have gone to war."
Tharp read the proclamation that was voted on by the city council to make Decatur a Purple Heart City. After the reading of the proclamation, Chuck Adkins presented the city with a special sign that will mark a parking space at Veterans Park for recipients of the Purple Heart.
Then the Purple Heart flag was raised on its temporary pole underneath the POW/MIA flag. A permanent pole will be erected on the left side of the Howard-Parrish Memorial. Upon completion, the Purple Heart flag will be moved to its final place of honor.
The ceremony concluded with the recognition of the living Purple Heart veterans and the families of those who either have died on the battle fields around the world or passed away from other causes.
Some of the Decatur-area Purple Heart recipients included Alvin Howard, Joe Parrish, Van Oral Philpot, Clifford Barnes, Orva Setzer, Dennis Monk, Jack Walter, Richard Boyd, Jamie Singleton, Justin Glover, George Kirchner and Charlie Daniels.
General News on 04/27/2016