Cities and towns all across the nation have begun honoring military service members wounded or killed in battle by designating themselves as a “Purple Heart City,” and the North Bay is no exception. “It’s a way to honor combat-wounded veterans,” says Charles Earthman, commander of Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 78 (MOPH), which is based in Santa Rosa and includes all coastal counties from San Francisco to the Oregon border, as well as Lake County. “North Bay communities have always been veteran-friendly, and this is just one more gesture we can make to say ‘Thank you’ to them.”In 2012, California became the first Purple Heart State. Since then, many others have followed suit, as have countless cities, counties (including Sonoma and Napa), parks, roadways and landmarks across the nation. Close to 50 cities and counties in California have Purple Heart designations (in the North Bay, that includes Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Windsor and Yountville).
In addition to spearheading these efforts, MOPH is active in many programs to support veterans and their families in its service area (whether or not they’re Purple Heart recipients). This includes providing emergency funding for bills, housing or food; purchasing medical equipment for individuals and clinics; making sure vets can get to and from VA clinic appointments; and distributing clothes, sleeping bags, tarps and comfort items to homeless vets.
Donation coordinator Walt Smith maintains several storage units full of clothing, furnishings and other items, which he either supplies directly or sells to generate needed funds. “Veterans and their families get it for free—whatever they need,” he says. Like all MOPH members, Smith donates his time. He’s always willing to come collect a donation, big or small, to help the cause.
To find out more or make a donation, visit purpleheart78.org.
