Where did you serve and what did you do?
Keith Mathews served in Vietnam and Iraq; US Navy.
How are you #StillServing?
VFW Post 1949 gets City to designate itself a Purple Heart City.
By Ken Norling, and William Steel
During the early summer of 2020 after informing the Enumclaw City Council of plans to bring the Vietnam Moving Wall to Enumclaw, VFW Post 1949 member Keith Mathews (Purple Heart recipient) suggested that the City proclaim itself a Purple Heart City. This was easily accomplished, especially since the City had only a few years previously cooperated in backing VFW Post 1949 plans to develop a memorial park for local Purple Heart Veterans.
PROMOTION TO GLORY monument, Enumclaw, WA Keith Mathews member VFW Post 1949
Enumclaw Veteran’s Memorial Park was designed and built between 1995 and 1997 by members of VFW Post 1949, along with the city of Enumclaw, and private donations. The Memorial has the names of 90 area residents who have received the Purple Heart. Veterans’ Memorial Park Purple Heart Monument honors area residents who were killed in the line of duty during the four wars in which the United States was involved during the 20th Century.
In order for the City to receive the designation of a Purple Heart City, they had to first make the proclamation listed below:
PROCLAMATION
Purple Heart City
Whereas, the City of Enumclaw, Washington and our community have a great admiration and the utmost gratitude for all the men and women who have, and are, selflessly serving their country and this community in the Armed forces; and
Whereas, Veterans have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their families and communities and placing themselves in harm’s way for the good of all; and,
Whereas, the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who served the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens; and
Whereas, many men and women in uniform have given their lives while serving in the Armed Forces; and
Whereas, citizens of our country have received the Purple Heart Medal as a result of being wounded while engaged in combat with an enemy force, construed as a singularly meritorious act of essential service; and
Whereas, the City of Enumclaw seeks to remember and recognize veterans who are recipients of the Purple Heart Medal; and
Whereas, I proclaim the City of Enumclaw, Washington to be a Purple Heart City, honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation’s men and women in uniform, wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect our freedoms.
THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF ENUMCLAW, WASHINGTON as follows:
Now, therefore, be it resolved on this 7th day of August 2020, I, Jan Molinaro, Mayor of the City of Enumclaw, Washington, supports the City of Enumclaw becoming a Purple Heart City in recognition of our communities Purple Heart Medal recipients.
In late December 2020 signs designating the City of Enumclaw as a Purple Heart City were installed along the highways into the community of Enumclaw.
Why do you do it?
Keith Mathews likes giving to veterans in order to better their life.