HUNTINGTON – The town of Huntington has joined 80 other cities and towns in Massachusetts, including Northampton, Easthampton, Holyoke, Springfield and Southwick, in becoming a Purple Heart Town. Although the designation was made official in a proclamation by the Board of Selectmen on September 9 of last year, it was announced publicly at Monday’s annual town meeting, followed by the posting of the first sign on Tuesday on Route 20. Four more signs will be posted on the major roads leading into town.
Also recognized at the Huntington Town Meeting on Monday was James Joyal, brother of Huntington resident Lori Belhumeur who brought his medals for display. In the center is the Purple Heart. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Huntington resident and Purple Heart recipient Justin Green first went to the Board of Selectmen with the request. Green served in the 3rd Battalion 1st Marines out of California, and was wounded in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004. Originally from Whately, Green returned to Western Massachusetts from California, settling in Huntington with his family three years ago.
Huntington Selectmen Jeff McKittrick, John McVeigh, and Ed Renauld, who is also the town’s veterans’ agent, said yes to the proposal right away.
“A lot of towns have lost a lot of their patriotism. They’ve lost sight of the reason they have what they have,” McVeigh said at the sign’s unveiling on Tuesday.
“It’s a small token of their appreciation,” added Green.
Besides the posting of the signs, the town has pledged to observe August 7 as Purple Heart day. Chartered by Congress in 1958, The Military Order of the Purple Heart is composed of military men and women who received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat. Its mission is to foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans, promote patriotism, support necessary legislative initiatives, and most importantly, provide service to all veterans and their families.
Also honored at the annual town meeting on Monday was Purple Heart recipient James Joyal, brother of Lori Belhumeur of Huntington. Belhumeur brought Joyal’s many medals to the meeting for display. Joyal, who has been residing in Huntington, recently moved into hospice care at the VA Medical Center in Leeds.
