Tumwater mayor encourages Purple Heart City designation 

Mayor Debbie Sullivan encouraged the Tumwater City Council to designate the municipality as a Purple Heart City. 

Sullivan made the statement during a council meeting on Tuesday, July 15, as part of a proclamation recognizing Aug. 7 as National Purple Heart Day. 

The proclamation also calls upon residents of Tumwater to show their appreciation for Purple Heart recipients and to encourage them to learn more about the city’s veteran programs.  

Establishing a municipality as a Purple Heart City is a symbolic gesture that honors the sacrifices of military personnel who were wounded or killed in combat. 

Purple Heart cities are marked by street signs indicating that they are part of the Purple Heart Trail, which is a national system of roads and monuments honoring veterans who have received a Purple Heart medal. 

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

Two veterans received the mayor’s proclamation. Jim Peterson, who served in the 101st Airborne Division and represents the Tumwater chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, said he was proud to hear he city is pursuing a Purple Heart City designation. 

Allen Acosta, commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 407, talked about the implications of a Purple Heart designation, saying it is a commitment to actual action. 

“The city of Tumwater being recognized as a Purple Heart City is a pledge to the local veterans to always remember that freedom is not free,” Acosta said. 

“The city's committing to honor the sacrifices of our veterans, not just in ceremonies, but through action ... by building a city that supports our veterans, welcomes our military families, and teach future generations the value of service.” 

Council member Angela Jefferson, another veteran, thanked the mayor for the proclamation as well. 

According to the proclamation, a Purple Heart is the oldest continuing military decoration and was first created by George Washington as the Badge of Military Merit in 1782. 

The proclamation states that in recognizing Purple Heart Day, the city aims to raise awareness of the contributions of veterans and their families, as well as support the growing population of veterans.