On April 20, the Marshall County Commissioners approved an agenda item naming Marshall County as a Purple Heart County. Now that the proclamation has been granted, the county is working on hosting an event to honor the proclamation and Marshall County veterans.
The proclamation is as follows: Whereas, the citizens of Marshall County, Oklahoma have great admiration and gratitude for the men and women who have selflessly served their community in the Armed Forces;
and Whereas, the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use and was originally created as the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington in 1782, and Whereas, the Purple Heart was the first American service award made available to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat; and Whereas, the County of Marshall recognizes and deeply appreciates the sacrifices made by the Purple Heart recipients in defense of our freedoms and honors their courage and dedication; and Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of County Commissioners of Marshall County, Oklahoma by virtue of the authority vested in them and on behalf of its citizens, do hereby proclaim Marshall County to be a Purple Heart County.