White County designated as Purple Heart County

By
Dean Dyer
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L-R-Commissioner Craig Bryant, Leigh Ammons, Commissioner Terry Goodger, Lou Zayas, Commission Chairman Travis Turner, Commissioner Lyn Holcomb (Dean Dyer)

White County is now a Purple Heart County, joining the City of Cleveland with the distinction.

The White County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution during their meeting Monday supporting the efforts to recognize the men and women who have received this honor.

The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration, established by George Washington in 1782. It’s awarded to military service members who were wounded or killed in combat.

Leigh Ammons of Cleveland has spearheaded efforts to get the County to become a Purple Heart County. She told the commissioners that she and her husband, Chris, first found out about the Purple Heart recognition while driving through Mountain City, which is a Purple Heart City. Following that, she did some research and has worked with both the city of Cleveland and White County to get the special designations.

Lou Zayas, Senior Vice Commander of the Georgia Department Military order of the Purple Heart, was on hand at the meeting to award the county with the special distinction.

To further demonstrate its commitment to Purple Heart recipients, White County is taking several initiatives to honor these heroes. A designated Purple Heart parking space will be added at Freedom Park near the military monument. The County is also working with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to install signs at four key county line locations: Highway 129 North and South and Highway 115 East and West. These signs will proudly display White County’s status as a Purple Heart County.
Additionally, plans are underway to illuminate Freedom Park in purple on Purple Heart Day, observed annually on August 7th.
White County is now one of only three counties in Northeast Georgia to receive this designation, joining Hart and Union Counties. Residents are encouraged to show their gratitude to Purple Heart veterans and their families, who exemplify courage, resilience, and sacrifice.

The city of Cleveland became a Purple Heart City with a council proclamation on November 12.

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