To The Editor:
August 7th is National Purple Heart Day, and it is a day set aside to honor military men and women wounded, or killed, or who died of his or her wounds in combat.
In Dillon County, the ninety-two names on the Memorial Wall at Veterans Square are all service members from local families and most all of them received the Purple Heart Medal. As you read those names, you quickly recognize the surnames of local families.
In the past, the Dillon Herald has published a Purple Heart issue around August 7th listing the names of local Veterans who have received the Purple Heart Medal. Whether these warriors are memorialized on a wall or recognized in the newspaper, we at the Dillon VFW believe it is important to remember the personal sacrifices these Veterans have made to defend America. Some have served long ago, and some have since passed away, but some still live in our community and bear the visible and invisible scars of war. In the Dillon VFW, Post Life Members Jerry Alford and Artis Buddy Bethea, Jr., have received Purple Hearts and they are #StillServing today through the VFW. Other Purple Heart recipients remain active in Veteran organizations, and the local community where they continue to contribute.
If you know a Purple Heart recipient, take a moment and say thank you. Regardless, take a moment and give thanks for these Veterans killed or wounded in action serving in harm’s way for all of us.
John Harlow
Commander
Dillon VFW Post 6091
2014 Highway 9 East
Dillon, S.C. 29536
