Harrison marks Purple Heart City designation with veterans' ceremony

Harrison held a special ceremony during its Oct. 21 City Council meeting to mark the city’s designation as a Purple Heart City, honoring combat-wounded veterans and the volunteers who secured the recognition.

Mayor (unnamed) opened the meeting with a presentation of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an invocation led in prayer. Jerry Ferris, representing the Department of Ohio Military Order of the Purple Heart, addressed the council and audience, described the medal’s origins and presented an official plaque and coins to the mayor and council. “My name is Jerry Ferris, and I'm a 3 time Purple Heart recipient,” Ferris said, explaining the medal’s history and the purpose of recognizing municipalities that support veterans. Ferris added congratulations to the city: “Congratulations on becoming a Purple Heart citizen.”

Jean Wilson, who led the local effort to secure the designation, thanked veterans and organizers and asked the community to “stand as a community that respects, supports, and honor veterans.” The Department of Ohio Military Order of the Purple Heart also recognized veterans in the audience and emphasized that the signs and designation aim to show Harrison is a “veteran friendly community.”

The ceremony included brief remarks from attendees and presentation of commemorative items. Mayor and council members thanked Jean Wilson, Jerry Ferris and other volunteers for organizing the event. The council then moved from the recognition into its regular agenda.

The ceremony did not create new municipal policy; it was a formal recognition and public gesture of support for veterans.