Amherst to Celebrate Becoming a Purple Heart Community
Photo: depositphotos.com
Source: amherstma.gov
The Town of Amherst is proud to announce that it has officially become a designated Purple Heart Community, joining more than 100 municipalities in Massachusetts and hundreds more nationwide in recognizing those wounded or killed in combat for their country. The Town of Amherst will be honoring this designation with an official Purple Heart Community Designation Ceremony on Friday, August 14 from 3-4 p.m. on the North Common in front of Town Hall (4 Boltwood Ave.) Rain Location: Town Room on the second floor of Town Hall.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend this special ceremony. The event will include remarks from town officials and community leaders, a proclamation reading, unveiling of the new signs, and recognition of Purple Heart Recipients. Please RSVP to the ceremony here.
Purple Heart Communities are cities and towns that officially dedicate themselves to honoring and remembering local military service members who’ve earned a Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is the nation’s oldest military medal, awarded to U.S. Armed Forces Service members who were wounded or killed in combat. To be declared a Purple Heart Community, a municipality with living or deceased Purple Heart Recipients must issue an official proclamation. In March 2026, the Amherst Town Council passed the “Town of Amherst Proclamation Declaring Amherst a Purple Heart Community” and the Military of the Purple Heart subsequently approved the designation.
In becoming a Purple Heart Community, the Town of Amherst will recognize August 7 as “Purple Heart Day,” and actively encourages all residents and organizations to participate in displaying the American Flag and other public expressions to honor and recognize the devotion of Amherst’s Purple Heart recipients.
Speakers will include:
- Paul Bockelman, Town Manager
- Daniel P. Nye, Director of Central Hampshire Veterans’ Services
- Al Varelas, U.S. Marine, Vietnam Veteran, Military Order of the Purple Heart
- American Legion Post 148 Color Guard
- Amherst Town Council
- Purple Heart Recipients
Image: depositphotos.com
I remember back to November 10 2016 when a group of entitled kids from Hampshire college took down the American flag and burned it. No action was taken against of the students. That was a low point in Veteran support, and a low point for all. I am sure 99% of the town could care less about being a Purple Heart town. I think it is a step in the right direction. Good job by the town officials.
Whose side are you on? The perpetrators of unprovoked U. S. aggression , and the unconditional support for the Israeli genocide of Palestinians and others, or the people whose only crime is to not be one of us and to have something we want? Instead of applauding our military forces we need to hold them accountable.
Thank you to the Town of Amherst for supporting this special recognition of America’s military veterans. Anyone who wears the uniform of the United States Armed Forces signs up to give their life for the ideal of preserving freedom. There are many, many people worldwide who benefit from the unselfish sacrifices our soldiers have always made.
I am proud to be a resident of a Purple Heart community. Please show respect for our military.
Who has “benefited from the unselfish sacrifices our soldiers have always made”? The Vietnamese? The Iranians? The Palestinians? The Lebanese? The Iraqis? The Afghans? You might want to check out the Brown University cost of war study, although even they, like most Americans, care mostly about us rather than the victims of our aggression.