Ordinance establishes Tumwater as Purple Heart City

The Tumwater City Council adopted an ordinance designating the city as a Purple Heart City at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2. 

Communications Manager Jason Wettstein brought forward the ordinance, explaining the designation honors the sacrifice of military personnel who have been wounded or killed in action 

“The Purple Heart designation would demonstrate support for our community of veterans and military families throughout our region. The resolution builds upon efforts to create a community where people feel that they belong,” Wettstein said. 

The ordinance also states that the city will establish signage to honor veterans, who are Purple Heart recipients. The city council will also review and, if necessary, revise policies and procedures to better welcome and acknowledge the contributions of veterans. 

Wettstein said before proposing the designation, the city reached out to the national and regional chapters of the Military Order of the Purple Heart to learn how to officially declare the designation. 

Part of the process was a public ceremony where veterans were invited to hear about the designation. The city fulfilled the requirement when Mayor Debbie Sullivan signed a proclamation last month to recognize Aug. 7 as National Purple Heart Day. 

Present for that signing, as well as the approval of the ordinance, were veterans Jim Peterson, who represents the Tumwater Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, and Allen Acosta, Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 407. 

Before passing the ordinance, Council member Angela Jefferson, a veteran, expressed her appreciation for the designation.  

“When we first met and you came on board, I told you that this was very important to me,” Jefferson told Wettstein. “It took a while, but you came through. Job well done.” 

Purple Heart cities in Thurston County include Lacey, Yelm, Tenino, Rainier, as well as the county.