Port of Kennewick Becomes First “Purple Heart Port” in Washington

​To honor and remember those wounded or killed in service to the country, Port of Kennewick, in coordination with Veterans of Foreign Wars James E. Rosselot Post 5785 in Kennewick, resolved to become the state’s first Purple Heart Port.
 
At the port’s regular commission meeting on Tuesday, commissioners approved a proclamation officially marking the designation.
 
Following passage, Commissioners Skip Novakovich and Raul Contreras Gonzalez presented an honorary copy of the proclamation to members from VFW Post 5785, including Purple Heart recipient and Army veteran Don Wicks, Marine veteran Kevin Veleke, Army veteran Jim Witt and Navy veteran Mike Dotson.
 
“There are people in this country who stand up for others who aren’t able. Those who enlist in the military are writing a blank check made payable to the people of the United States for an amount up to and including their lives. Some of those checks are cashed as military members are seriously wounded or make the ultimate sacrifice,” said Skip Novakovich, port commissioner and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. “I’m proud to be associated with the Port of Kennewick because we’ve always supported our team and community’s veterans. It’s important to appreciate the sacrifices veterans make to preserve the freedoms we enjoy.”
 
Port of Kennewick will install Purple Heart Port signs on Clover Island to add to the national Purple Heart Trail network. The Trail’s signage creates a symbolic and honorary national system of roads, highways, bridges and other monuments that give tribute to the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal. The Trail originates at a monument in Mt Vernon, Virginia, which is the burial location of George Washington. Learn more at PurpleHeart.org/PurpleHeartTrail.
 
National Purple Heart Day is observed annually on Aug. 7 to honor U.S. service members wounded or killed in combat. It marks the creation of the original award, the Badge of Military Merit, by General George Washington in 1782.

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