Parking Spaces Painted Purple At North Jersey Town Hall In Honor Of Wounded Veterans

One North Jersey town this week honored Purple Heart recipients and designated two parking spaces at its town hall parking lot just for them.

The purple spaces, one by Wayne town hall, the other by the library, each have a sign that say they are reserved for those wounded in combat. The signs have a Purple Heart emblazoned on them.

The spots were dedicated during a ceremony on Veterans Day. Councilman Richard Jasterzbski, borough clerk Paul Margiotta, and deputy clerk Jackie Barnhill came up with the idea.

Wayne is the first town in Passaic County to acknowledge veterans in such a way. Wayne was also one of the first towns to paint a blue line down a main roadway to show its support of the police department, a practice copied by dozens of municipalities since.

An estimated 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded since the medal was first established in 1932. It is one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces.

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A photo of one of the spaces and the sign designated it for Purple Heart recipients. Staff photos by Daniel Hubbard

American Legion Post 174 members and their family members, Congressman Rodney Frelinghuyen, Mayor Chris Vergano, Councilman Richard Jasterzbski, Councilwoman Aileen Rivera, Council President Lonni Miller Ryan, Passaic County Clerk Kristin Corrado, and township employees. Courtesy of Paul Margiotta