County Judge Mark Riley and Parker County commissioners proclaimed Parker County to be a “Purple Heart County”
Monday, honoring local veterans and their families in a special ceremony held in the second floor courtroom of the historic courthouse.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart Post 1513 in Tarrant County presented the court with a special award recognizing the county’s dedication and support honoring America’s combat wounded veterans.
Parker County is the third in the state to receive the “Purple Heart County” designation.
Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient Rupert Harrell, along with Jon Lunkwicz and Robert Drake, fellow post members, presented the plaque to the court.
A resident of Springtown, Harrell was the one who approached Riley and Precinct No. 1 Commissioner George Conley advocating the county make the proclamation.
“Commissioner Conley and I didn’t hesitate to be privileged to be a part and have the county be a part of something so important and significant in our history,” Riley said.
After the county announced the ceremony and invited Purple Heart recipients and their families, many people contacted him, Riley said.
“It has really enriched my life to hear some of the conversations from family members about the sacrifices they’ve made,” he said, “not only for Parker County, but for this country.”
