Local Purple Hear recipients recognized at special ceremony
DUNBAR TWP. – Three local military veterans were recognized Sunday as Purple Heart recipients for their sacrifices on the battlefield while serving in the Vietnam and the Persian Gulf wars. The recognition was in conjunction with the Purple Heart postage stamp released last month by the U.S. Post Office. Eric McCrae of the American Legion William Hickman Post 762 in Trotter, along with fellow comrades Dave Stewart and Jim Emery of the American Legion Post 301 in Connellsville, received Purple Heart stamp frames provided by the United States Postal Service’s Pittsburgh District and the Connellsville Post Office.
The program was held at Post 762, where Denise Baker, postmaster of the Smithfield Post Office, former postmaster of the Connellsville post office and the post’s finance officer, served as guest speaker. Robert L. Walker, post 762 adjutant, served as master of ceremonies.
“I know this can never take away the pain or suffering, but I hope it lets you know that we love you and keep you in our prayers. May God bless you and keep you from harm’s way,” said a tearful Baker as she presented the stamp frames.
In addition, Baker presented stamp frames to both legion posts to commemorate other Purple Heart decorated veterans whose origin is either deceased or unknown.
“We’re all veterans and without them we wouldn’t be sitting here today,” said George Piovesan, 24th district commander who referred to all veterans as “warriors.”
McCrae served in the Persian Gulf War while Stewart and Emery each served in the Vietnam War. “In 33 years, this is only the second time that I can remember that someone recognized anything that had to do with Vietnam,” said Emery, who resides in Smock.
Although Emery only served in Vietnam for three months, he said he “wouldn’t wish (his time spent there) on his worst enemy.”
As the oldest military decoration in the world, the Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces, in the name of the president of the United States, who are killed or wounded in combat.
According to the U.S. Postal Service, the Purple Heart stamp was selected to recognize and pay tribute to the men and women whose sacrifices have allowed Americans to live in freedom. It is part of the postal service’s 2003 stamp program that celebrates the people, events and history of our nation.
As a veteran himself, Walker attributed the continued recognition of the men and women who served or are serving this country to the various legion posts and fellow organizations. “It’s kind of sad that it took 9-11 for people to even notice that there is a service man out there…whether retired, active or inactive,” said Walker.
Jim Dunn, commander of Post 301, said it’s not too often that fellow comrades and their families assemble to recognize something that is almost forgotten, especially three Fayette County veterans who paid a sacrifice for our freedom.
“Even today, with our complete armed forces being volunteers, they are willing to give life or limb in order to keep us as the great free nation that we are,” said Ray Anthony, president of the American Legion Riders.
With that in mind, Dunn reminded those attending the program that members of the military are still stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan earning the Purple Heart.
“You don’t get a (Purple Heart) with a paper cut or by turning an ankle. You get one for doing your job and being in the right place at the wrong time, or in the wrong place at the right time, ” said Don Burkholder, adjutant of Post 301 and the 24th district.
In addition, other remarks were made by Ted Davis, Post 762 commander, the Rev. Albert Winfrey and Lisa Winfrey, with a final salute by the U.S. Army National Guard and Post 301 Honor Guard.
The Purple Heart stamp, said Baker, is available at more than 38,000 retail locations nationwide. In addition to the postal service, which functions as an independent agency that delivers mail to more than 140 million residences and businesses daily, deriving its revenue from the sale of postal products, services and stamps.