Bloomfield named Purple Heart City

“It is an honor for Bloomfield to receive the designation as a Purple Heart City,” observed Purple Heart recipient Terry Hood.

The Army Veteran was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during his tour of duty, which was from 1969-1971. Hood, a resident of Dexter, went on to say that as the county seat and home of the Missouri Veterans Cemetery and Stars and Stripes Museum, he is proud of the continuing efforts the city makes to honor veterans.

Hood was among five Stoddard County Purple Heart veterans who were in attendance as Bloomfield was designated a Purple Heart City on Monday, May 20. Other local veterans — including the American Legion Honor Guard, community members and representatives of the Region 2 Military Order of the Purple Heart were also in attendance at the ceremony held at the Bloomfield City Administration Building.

Purple Heart recipients present for the proclamation of Bloomfield as a Purple Heart City include, from left: Terry Hood, U.S. Army, Dexter; Charles Hedspeth, U.S. Army, Puxico; Bryce Lockwood, U.S. Marines; John Dismer, U.S. Army; Dallas Buchannan, U.S. Army, Puxico; David Wilson, U.S. Army, Bloomfield; and David McClellan, U.S. Army, Bloomfield. DAR/Nancy Nelson Vines

“By becoming a Purple Heart City,” said Bloomfield Mayor Bill Aslin, “Bloomfield seeks to remember and recognize those veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal.”

In recounting the history of the Order of the Purple Heart Medal, Bryce Lockwood, chaplain of Chapter 621 Missouri Military Order of the Purple Heart in Springfield, Missouri, explained the Purple Heart medal is given to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action during war.

“Today’s Purple Heart,” Lockwood revealed, “can be traced back to the Badge of Military Merit, which George Washington awarded to his troops in recognition of heroic acts.”

“While a Purple Heart City definitely pays special tribute to those who have earned the Purple Heart,” observed John D. Dismer, Region 2 Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, “it also acknowledges that the city supports and honors all veterans.”

Lynn Mattingly of Dexter, Navy veteran and Honor Guard member, noted, “I am so proud that our county seat has chosen to express their gratitude to those individuals of Stoddard County who gave their lives or were wounded in combat defending the freedoms that all Americans enjoy.”

District 151 State Rep. Herman Morse, an Air Force veteran who served as a Chinese linguist in Taiwan during the Vietnam era, reflected, “It is one thing to be a veteran. It’s quite another thing to have been wounded while serving our country.”

Morse went on to say, “We should never forget the contribution Purple Heart recipients have made to our country.”

The Purple Heart City designation is appreciated by active duty military personnel, as well as those who previously served.

Lt. Chris Hood, son of Terry and Shirley Hood, who is currently pursuing his doctorate degree at Purdue University, wrote, “As an active duty Naval officer who has been away from home for 16 years, it is a great reassurance to know that our community, friends and family support us in this way. I am proud to call Dexter, Bloomfield and Stoddard County home.”

U.S. Army Capt. Thomas Fowler, a Dexter native, observed that citizens can repay the service of Purple Heart recipients through their own service.

“It is impossible for us to relate to the experience that earned our veterans the Purple Heart award,” Fowler explains, “however, the service of military personnel, first responders, teachers, judges, law enforcement and countless others honors those men and women for the good of our communities.”

Fowler is currently stationed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River to attend Test Pilot School.

Earl Metcalf, who now lives near Puxico, served with the Army 5th Special Forces from 1968 to 1971.

Metcalf relates, “The small unit I served (with) was called MACVSOG Command Control Central in Kontum Vietnam. From that small compound, a total of six men were awarded the Medal of Honor.”

Metcalf went on to say, “Ken Sisler of Dexter was the first, and Gary Rose the last. It’s a great honor for Bloomfield to be chosen as a Military Order of the Purple Heart City. I am proud to be an Army veteran and a lifelong resident of Stoddard County.”

The Purple Heart City designation, according to Aslin, came about through the efforts of Bloomfield City Clerk Kari Standley.

“Kari was instrumental in this endeavor,” Aslin observed.

Dismer explained that Bloomfield will have the opportunity to purchase road signs identifying the town as a Purple Heart City.

He went on to add, “Even though the city must pay for the signs, there are regulations governing their placement.”

In addition to the signs, the city may also use designated letterhead for tourism purposes.

“The Purple Heart designation is a privilege and honor for the city of Bloomfield, our veterans and our council,” Aslin reflected. “My dad was in the Navy and my Uncle Clint was in the Air Force. I am honored to read the proclamation tonight.”