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Luverne designated as Purple Heart City

Subhead
Mayor made proclamation in support of veterans, their sacrifices to military service
Lead Summary
By
Lori Sorenson

Luverne is officially a Purple Heart City, thanks to a proclamation by Mayor Pat Baustian at the June 28 City Council meeting.
Vietnam veteran Buck Underwood, a Purple Heart recipient, had approached city officials about proclaiming Luverne a Purple Heart City.
“Thank you for taking the time to recognize our Purple Heart veterans,” Underwood said at the meeting. “It’s for all the veterans, past and present, who have earned a Purple Heart.”
The words of the proclamation are as follows.
Be It Proclaimed:
Whereas, the City of Luverne in the state of Minnesota has always supported its military veteran population; and
Whereas, the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use and was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington in 1782; and
Whereas, the Purple Heart was the first American service award or decoration made available to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat with a declared enemy of the United States of America; and
Whereas, the mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of goodwill among the combat-wounded veteran members and their families, promote patriotism, support legislative initiatives, and most importantly – make sure we never forget; and
Whereas, the Luverne area has a large, highly decorated veteran population including many Purple Heart recipients; and
Whereas, Luverne appreciates the sacrifices our Purple Heart recipients made in defending our freedoms and believe it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them the honor and support they have earned.
Now, Therefore, I, Patrick T. Baustian, Mayor of the City of Luverne, do hereby proclaim the City of Luverne as a PURPLE HEART CITY and encourage the citizens of the City of Luverne to show their appreciation for the sacrifices the Purple Heart recipients have made in defending our freedoms, to acknowledge their courage, and to show them the honor and support they have earned.

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