Stamford To Become A 'Purple Heart City'

STAMFORD, CT — On. Nov. 7 during the Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, Stamford will officially be designated as a "Purple Heart City" and added to the Purple Heart Trail.

The trail is a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges and other monument that give tribute to the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

Signs are placed at various locations to mark the places that are on the trail. There are currently designated sections in 45 states, as well as Guam, according to an announcement from the city.

Stamford itself has a long history of residents who have served in the military. The city said in an announcement that a Stamford native, William Brown, was the first to receive the Purple Heart Medal, formerly known as the Badge of Military Merit, from its founder, President George Washington.

Brown enlisted in the 5th Connecticut Regiment as a corporal on May 23, 1775 and re-enlisted as a private on April 9, 1777 for the duration of the war, the city said.

To date, more than 1.8 million of these medals have been presented to service members since its creation in 1782.

"I am absolutely honored that Stamford will become a Purple Heart City and join the Purple Heart Trail following our Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 7," Stamford Mayor David Martin told Patch. "Stamford has had a long-standing history of exemplary residents that have served in the military, and it is important that the immense bravery and sacrifices of our city’s veterans is never forgotten or overlooked."

The Stamford Veterans Day parade will begin at 12 p.m. at 713 Bedford St. in front of the Stamford Police Department, and go across Broad Street and end at the Veterans Memorial Park.

The ceremony in the park will begin at 1 p.m.