Purple Heart Proclamation Considered by Franklin County BOC

A group of veterans is asking Franklin County to approve a proclamation supporting veterans who have received the Purple Heart.

At their meeting earlier this week, the board of commissioners  heard from Ferris Johnson, Chapter President for Northeast Georgia for the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Chartered by Congress in 1958, The Military Order of the Purple Heart is composed of military men and women who received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat.

Johnson, who is a native of Franklin County,  said his chapter works to help veterans and their families.

“We have ten chapters in the State of Georgia,” he said. “These chapters do community work assisting veterans and their families with anything they need.  If they need anything at all, we’re there to help.”

Johnson said an effort is now underway to increase support for their group and establish more chapters.

“The push is on in Georgia to get as many cities, counties, radio stations, universities, businesses to become Purple Heart cities, and so on. All that is required is that that city, county or whoever make a proclamation,” he said.

So far only two counties in Georgia have proclaimed themselves Purple Heart Counties.  Ferris said there is no charge to become a Purple Heart County.

After hearing from Johnson, county commission chair Thomas Bridges directed county manager John Phillips to get a copy of the Proclamation from Johnson.

No word, however, on when the county plans to approve that proclamation.