Franklin honors veterans as Purple Heart Community

FRANKLIN — Recognizing the military sacrifices of community members in defense of the United States has been of the utmost importance to city leaders. In recognition, former Franklin Mayor Jo Brown and the city council proclaimed Franklin to be a Purple Heart Community, and Aug. 7 to be Purple Heart Day annually.

The declaration, formalized on Sept. 6, 2022, mirrors the national designation of Aug. 7 commemorating the oldest U.S. military decoration for merit. Residents are encouraged to display an American flag as well as other patriotic expressions for Purple Heart recipients.

A Purple Heart Community is a town, city or locality that honors military personnel wounded or killed in combat. To become a Purple Heart Community, at least one Purple Heart recipient must live in the community. The Purple Heart, originally known as the Badge of Military Merit, is the nation’s oldest military combat medal and was created by then Gen. of the Continental Army George Washington in 1782.

Brown thought it was important for Franklin to become a Purple Heart Community.

“As a 22-year active duty Air Force veteran, I am very proud that Franklin has taken this visible step in support of our veterans,” she said. “Along with the veteran light pole banners and the construction of the Easterseals military campus at Webster Place in Franklin, as a city we are leading the way in community support of all of our veterans.”

The proposal to become a Purple Heart Community was first raised by the city council during a meeting on Aug. 1, 2022, according to the minutes. The motion passed with every councilor in favor, and Councilor Robert Desrochers donated the five signs place which are now located around Franklin.

“They couldn't decide who was going to pay for the sign says,” Desrochers said. In the meeting, he said, “I'll buy the signs, just tell me how many you need.”

Desrochers is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. His uncle Robert Beaupre of Franklin is a recipient, who served in the U.S. Army at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. His father Roger Desrochers, also of Franklin, served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the second wave of Iwo Jima and was offered a Purple Heart — but refused it — because he felt there were veterans more deserving of the recognition, and he wanted to honor their sacrifice.

“I know some people that were recommended for Purple Hearts, and they refused them,” he said. “They didn't feel their injuries were bad enough.”

Desrochers was in favor of making Franklin a Purple Heart Community to recognize all veterans.

“Doing anything for veterans is an important thing for the community,” he said. “If it weren't for veterans, we wouldn't be here.”

Desrochers knows residents likely aren't aware he donated the signs to display the city's designation.

“I don’t do stuff for recognition. I do stuff because they have a meaningful purpose.”

To mark Memorial Day this year, Joe Sutton, the Purple Heart trail coordinator of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, said now is a good time to designate another community.

“We’re seeing a pretty good resurgence, especially towards Memorial Day for cities, towns and entities that want to designate,” he said. “This is a relatively good time of year to designate.”

While there are no MOPH organizations in New Hampshire, interested localities can reach out to their local VFW, American Legion, or the national MOPH by visiting purpleheart.org.