Port Jervis community salutes nation's Purple Heart heroes!

MidHudsonNews coverage:

https://midhudsonnews.com/2024/08/08/port-jervis-marks-purple-heart-day-with-honors-to-lost-vietnam-veteran/

Full video of event (Video 1, continued to Video 2)

https://youtu.be/u4sE9pz7TnU?si=a_zwRpZFYU52kKVI

https://youtu.be/qLeZIQsWJQk?si=k73FP2rKXIkeOPsn

VFW Rosa Fleming Post #161 Commander presents Vietnam Veteran Floyd Frank Bell's medals, including his Purple Heart, to his younger sister Barbara Bell`

VFW Rosa Fleming Post #161 Commander presented Vietnam Veteran Floyd Frank Bell's medals, including his Purple Heart Hall of Honor certificate, to his younger sister Barbara Bell`

Orange County Veteran Services Agency Director Christian Farrell spoke about the meaning and purpose of a Purple Heart and thanked all who earned one (or more) for their bravery and service.

NYS Assemblyman Karl Brabenec expressed his profound gratitude and great honor and respect for Purple Heart recipients and all who have given so much for others.

Representing Congressman Pat Ryan, Brandon presented a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol to Barbara Bell for the service of her late Vietnam Veteran/Purple Heart recipient Floyd Frank Bell

Port Jervis Mayor Dominic Cicalese named the day Floyd Frank Bell Day in honor of a young man he noted was born and grew up in Port Jervis, going to school, hanging out with friends, and who required and underage signature to join the Army at 17, and who sustained catastrophic injuries in Vietnam.

Port Jervis 4th Ward Councilman/Veteran Services LiaisonStan Siegel read the names of more than 50 local Purple Heart recipients and pledged to continue to work for a correction to Floyd Frank Bell's military discharge records

101-year old Pike County, PA WWII veteran Ed Kuhn

Vet2Vet Program Services -- Larry Neumann spoke of the need to eliminate veteran homelessness in America, "No veteran who has served this country with honor and dignity should ever be allowed to be homeless and sleep on the street."

Retired elementary school principal Anthony Cavallaro spoke about his grandfather George Hickey who died of his wounds in WWII and was part of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The incident that claimed his life was on DDay June 6, 1944.

Vietnam War multi-Purple Heart recipient Mike Martino thanked all veterans and pledged his help in helping to seek a review and, if warranted, correction of Purple Heart recipient Floyd Frank Bell's military records.

NYS Assemblyman Karl Brabenec spoke of his personal gratitude in being able to visit Purple Heart recipient Dennis DeGroat to provide a replacement medal to this 100-year-old WWII veteran.

WWII veteran and Purple Heart recipient Ed Kuhn, 101-years-old- lost his leg in battle in Belgium and spent a year in a hospital as he recovered. Kuhn is the last living WWII Purple Heart recipient in Pike County, PA.

Speaking of her beloved family member John Mosca, WWII Purple Heart recipient

Francis Lemon of American Legion's Devore-Quinn Post 438 in Matamoras is always active in supporting his country and the veterans and military men and women who protect it.

Veteran and Rosa Fleming VFW Post #161 Chaplain Steve Kronimus provided opening and closing prayer for Port Jervis' 1st Annual National Purple Heart Day commemoration.

Vietnam War multi-Purple Heart recipient Mike Martino thanked all veterans and pledged his help in helping to seek a review and, if warranted, correction of Purple Heart recipient Floyd Frank Bell's military records.

Port Jervis Mayor Dominic Cicalese named the day Floyd Frank Bell Day in honor of a young man he noted was born and grew up in Port Jervis, going to school, hanging out with friends, and who required and underage signature to join the Army at 17, and who sustained catastrophic injuries in Vietnam.

A veteran of wartime service in Iraq and Afghanistan, Rosa Fleming VFW Post #161 Commander Colin Tunney led Port Jervis' first National Purple Heart Day commemoration, and debuted a personal rendition of America's National Anthem in tribute.

Representing Congressman Pat Ryan, Brandon presented a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol to Barbara Bell for the service of her late Vietnam Veteran/Purple Heart recipient Floyd Frank Bell

Some of the many veterans, dignitaries, friends and family that turned out to pay tribute to America's Purple Heart recipients on August 7, National Purple Heart Day.

VFW Rosa Fleming Post #161 National Purple Heart Day flag detail on August 7, 2024 , Port Jervis, NY

Pictured at Port Jervis' August 7th National Purple Heart Day commemoration are Port Jervis Councilman Jason Vicchiariello and B.P.O.E. Elk member Bob Gardner who are each very active in supporting America's veterans and military men and women.

Some of the many veterans, dignitaries, friends and family that turned out to pay tribute to America's Purple Heart recipients on August 7, National Purple Heart Day.

Rosa Fleming VFW Post #161 Auxiliary is always active and supportive of America's military men and women, and veterans. They provided the proper decor for the post and refreshments in a moment's notice as rain brought the city's first National Purple Heart Day commemoration inside.

The Farr Family was among the many who turned out to salute all veterans and Purple Heart recipients, including Cyrus Farr who bravely served during WWII.

A veteran of wartime service in Iraq and Afghanistan, Rosa Fleming VFW Post #161 Commander Colin Tunney led Port Jervis' first National Purple Heart Day commemoration, and debuted a personal rendition of America's National Anthem in tribute.

Rosa Fleming VFW Post #161 members Vietnam Veterans Floyd Babcock and National Purple Heart Hall board member were among the many who turned out for Port Jervis' first commemoration of National Purple Heart Day on August 7, 2024.