Purple Heart

At the July 16, 2024, Town Board meeting, the Town Board members unanimously approved a resolution proposed by Town Clerk Lynne Buchanan. The Town of Guilderland is added to the network of other towns, counties, and highways that comprise the Purple Heart Trail.

With its designation as a Purple Heart, the Town honors and remembers military personnel wounded or killed in combat. The Purple Heart is a combat decoration and our nation's oldest military medal. It was first awarded by General George Washington in 1782 and was then known as the Badge of Military Merit.

Joe Sutton, National Purple Heart Legacy & Trail Coordinator, said, "As such, the establishment and expansion of the Purple Heart Trail has a lofty purpose: to support the reverence order for medal recipients some 242 years ago. Your designation as an entity on the Purple Heart Trail serves as an outward expression of gratitude and a solemn reminder of those no longer with us and those still among us who have sacrificed themselves greatly to ensure the freedoms we enjoy."

On Friday, November 8, at 10 a.m., the Town of Guilderland will unveil road signs showing our designation as a Purple Heart Town. There will also be reserved parking signs for "Purple Heart" recipients and their family members. Reserved parking spots will be available at Guilderland Town Hall, Guilderland Senior Center, and Tawasentha Park. All Purple Heart recipients and their families are welcome to join in this unveiling ceremony.

The Town of Guilderland is extremely proud to be designated a Purple Heart Town. As a member of the Purple Heart Trail, we hope the signage honors all Purple Heart recipients and their family members and reminds all who travel through our Town of the services and sacrifices of these brave men and women.