At a ceremony Monday morning held in the courthouse foyer, Callaway County was recognized as a Purple Heart County by the Military of the Purple Heart (MOPH).
Commander of Region II MOPH Everett L. Kelly of Buffalo, Mo. who oversees MOPH in 11 states, was joined by Commander of the Department of Missouri John D. Dismer of Springfield and Gunnery Sergeant Bryce F. Lockwood of Strafford to present a plaque to the Callaway County Commissioners commemorating the occasion.
"It's important to continue to recognize the veterans for the freedoms they've given us," Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann said.
"Only six-tenths of one percent of all veterans receive a Purple Heart," Kelly said. "And half of those are awarded post-humously." The Purple Heart is awarded to those veterans wounded by enemy action in armed conflict.
According to a Military of the Purple Heart fact sheet, the award is "the oldest combat decoration still in use. It originated with the heart-shaped "Badge for Military Merit" ordered by General George Washington in 1782." If the medal is awarded posthumously, it is presented to the next of kin.
Four local Vietnam veterans attended the ceremony. Corporal Dennis Byler served from 1966 to 1967 and received three Purple Hearts. VFW 2657 Post Commander Larry Underwood served as Point Man for the 173rd Airborne in 1968 and 1969, then again in 1970 and 1971, and also received a Pur- ple Heart for being wounded in action. Wayne Bill was a 1st Lieutenant Automatic Weapons Platoon Leader with the 1st 44th and served in 1969-1970. Jack Kemp served with the 1st Cavalry Airmobile as an Air Mechanic with a helicopter unit in 1966- 1967.
The resolution put forth by the Callaway County Commission brought to mind America's warriors of the Revolutionary War when the medal was first awarded, then recognized those individuals in the county who have "stepped forward and served with distinction." They addressed the fact that many of those individuals "sustained physical injury in combat for their country" before ending the document by stating that "Callaway County takes pride in
remembering and recognizing veterans who have received the Purple Heart."
"It's a beautiful thing," Kemp said when asked his thoughts of the recognition of the Purple Heart recipients. "I love it."
A second, less formal, presentation was held a the end of the gathering. Associate Commissioner of the Western District Doc Kritzer presented a set of framed photographs to VFW Post Commander Underwood in thanks for the fundraising efforts the post has made to the Central Missouri Honor Flight program.
The program was initially used to fly World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. to view the World War II memorial. Now the program has expanded to include veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars.
According to Kritzer, the pro- gram just made its 35th flight. The next Honor Flight will take off on November 3 and will be the last flight of the year.