The text for the recent Purple Heart Recognition Ceremony held at the Franklin Senior Center, Wednesday, Aug 2, 2023. Three of Franklin's Purple Heart recipients were present.
"The first Purple Heart was awarded by General George Washington, commander in-chief of the Continental Army, on August 7, 1782 to recognize meritorious service in combat, but it quickly fell into disuse. Revived in 1932, the criteria for receiving the Purple Heart award was changed to recognize those who sustained combat injuries or passed away while serving in the U.S. Military. It is believed that the award is purple because the color represents courage and bravery.
National Purple Heart Day, which is celebrated on August 7 each year, offers Americans a special opportunity to say "Thank You" to the nearly two million brave men and women who fought for our nation's freedom and bear the scars of war.
There are currently 64 Franklin Purple Heart recipients in our database. We recently added Franklin's 45 fallen heroes to our list - those who made the ultimate sacrifice and died while serving our country from WWI to present day. If you know a Franklin resident who is a Purple Heart recipient, please let our office know and we will reach out to them to add them to our database.
The following Franklin Purple Heart recipients are joining us today or are represented by a family member. Please stand, if you are able, when your name is called:
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| Bob Gardner, Richard Douglas, Roger Gilbert |
Larry Bederian, Richard Douglas, Gerald Dauley, Bob Gardner, Roger Gilbert and Philip Messere.
Thank you all for your service and sacrifices and thank you those who are here on behalf-of their family members who were awarded-the Purple Heart.
Thank you to all Veterans, here with us today, for your service and sacrifices. Let us always remember ... America is the land of the free because of the brave.
This concludes our Purple Heart recognition. Please enjoy the coffee and refreshments provided by our wonderful friends at Starbucks East Central Street, Franklin. Special thanks to Starbucks' associates Jeff and Ashley for being with us today and thank you again to Rayna Nesbitt for her lovely performance."
The 45 Fallen Heroes marked with the pedestals along the Veterans Walkway on the Town Common:
Lawrence J. Clark
Elijah H. Coldwell
Emilio Daddario
Jay Stone Davis
Edward L. Grant
Albert E. Johnson
W. Franklin Lynch
Alfred L. Mucciarone
James P. Murray
Alesandro Patete
Levi Pieri
Patrick Ristaino
Frank J. Smith
David Bullukian
Charles Christakes
Robert L. Cummings
Edward C. Dailey
Elton E. Ekstrom
Lloyd Ellis
Howard T. Feeley
Frank Grzyboski
Timothy J. Hayes
William G. Hosford
John J. Kell
Edward A. Kelly
David Laughlan III
Baldo S. Lazzerini
William 0. Martello
Charles E. Mason
Daniel E. McCahill
Anthony J. Mucciarone, Jr.
Gerald M. Parmenter
Jules E. Perret
Marshall E. Rollins J
ohn A. Schur
John W. Wyllie, Jr.
Harry R. Bean
Richard L. Desper
Lawrence E. Garron, Jr.
John E. Pasquantonio
Joseph R. Paulette
Russell W. Shaw
Alan W. Willard
Shayne M. Cabino
Robert R. Pirelli
