OPINION: Glen Cove Becomes A Purple Heart City

This past June, I was visited by Conrad “Connie” Steers and Bob Chiappone, both of whom are affiliated with the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), with a straightforward and honorable request. Can Glen Cove become a Purple Heart City?

For those who are unfamiliar with MOPH, it was founded in 1932 and chartered by an Act of Congress in 1958 to recognize military men and women who were wounded in combat. It provides support for all veterans, scholarship programs for members and their families while maintaining communication with members of Congress on issues key to all veterans.

I asked Connie and Bob to join me at a meeting with the Glen Cove City Mayor to ask if he might be willing to put the measure before the City Council for discussion and ultimately a vote.

Designating Glen Cove a Purple Heart City required not much more than a proclamation by the Glen Cove City Council; which I was informed was approved at its July 23 meeting.   

The good that results from approving this proclamation cannot be weighed and measured for consequence. As I said following the meeting I scheduled with the Mayor and Connie and Bob, it is an important symbol for the city; a way to show respect and honor the veterans who served in this country’s wars and were wounded during the course of that service. It is a gesture that pays tribute to so many who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our country.