Traveling around Georgetown, it’s hard to miss the many Purple Heart signs recently installed on City property to recognize our status as the first Purple Heart City in Texas, effective September 10, 2013.
For years, local Veteran advocate and Purple Heart recipient Aaron Cabrera was seeing a lot of social media traffic about Purple Heart cities and was surprised to find that there were exactly zero Purple Heart cities in Texas. “I thought, ‘None? But this is Texas; that can’t be right.'” So he shared the idea with Council member Rachel Jonrowe, who helped push through the applications and paperwork.
Cabrera was so enthusiastic, he went home immediately after the Council vote and submitted paperwork to the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) organization; beating Bastrop to the honor of being first by 12 hours. “It felt good to know that the city where I lived recognized the efforts of people like me. They are saying ‘We see you and we honor you.'” Cabrera said he dedicated his work to the men and women with Vietnam-era service, who never received the same credit and honor of later generations.
Mayor Dale Ross explains the signs were a natural step in recognizing our Veterans. “It doesn’t do much good unless we share it with everyone. We want people to know how much we appreciate our Veterans and it is important to recognize their service, not just on Veterans’ or Memorial Day. We are blessed to live in a city that rallies for Veterans and law enforcement when so many others are protesting.”
Veteran and Georgetown activist Ted Acheson was instrumental in getting the Purple Heart designation and the signs for the City. “I want people to realize just how important it is that we were the first in the state. As a member of MOPH Chapter 1919, we have many meetings here in Georgetown because our members love coming here. They love seeing the respect and admiration Georgetown has for its Veterans and law enforcement, and these signs will be here for thousands of visitors to know that as well.”
Cabrera and Acheson agree that part of the effort is about education. “We want children to learn about civics and what the Purple Heart is about, but we also want to help build awareness for everyone. We hope other PH recipients will see the signs and register with us and benefit from the camaraderie of the Order; even perhaps to build up support and donations for our many veteran programs.”
In addition to banners on the bridge and signs, there are several new reserved parking spaces around town for Purple Heart recipients, and Ross says the City is open to ideas and anything we can do to enhance our efforts. Acheson echoed the Mayor’s ideas in that MOPH is an active partner with many local businesses to help Veterans in need for anything from bucket list trips to home repairs. Next up for MOPH fundraising is a large-scale chili cook-off April 27. Look for details in future Advocates.
With all of this in mind, Ross says, “Without Aaron starting it and Ted joining in, we would not be here today. I am so proud to have these signs installed; with the thousands who come here, they will see them and know they aren’t temporary.
“It’s no surprise that senators and governors attend our events. With the facilities we have in the City and in Sun City, as well as the love our citizens have for those who protect us, it is a tremendous honor for the city to support such a wonderful group of men and women who have given so much and asked for so little.”
Visit PurpleHeart.org for more.
