For Immediate Release:
October 31, 2003
Pictured
from left to Right: Standing with one of the Purple
Heart Trail dedication signs are Rep. Ray McCarter,
Sen. Sam Helton and Phillip Driskill, Director of
the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Purple Heart Trail Dedication Takes Place
State
Senator Sam
Helton, D-Lawton, and Representative Ray
McCarter, D-Marlow, announced the dedication of
I-40 to be known also as the "Purple Heart Trail"
today. Senator Helton and Representative McCarter,
along with Director of the Department
of Veterans Affairs Phillip Driskill, officially
dedicated the interstate under the provisions of Senate
Bill 380, which was signed into law by Governor Brad
Henry during the 2003 legislative session.
Currently,
I-40 westbound is named the Korean War Veterans Memorial
Highway and it begins at the intersection of I-35
and I-40, while eastbound I-40 is named the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Highway beginning at the same intersection.
I-40 will now be known as the "Purple Heart Trail"
in conjunction with the Memorial highways, which runs
throughout the state.
"Eventually
the Purple Heart Trail will extend nationwide,"
stated Senator Helton. "I am very pleased that
Oklahoma has taken some of the first steps in memorializing
those men and women who have put their lives on the
line to protect the rights of American citizens. This
Trail serves as an expression of the appreciation
of the entire state and to memorialize those who served
during wartime."
The
Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces
of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war
in the hands of the enemy and possibly to the next-of-kin
in the name of those who are killed in action or die
of wounds received in action. It is specifically a
combat decoration.
The
dedication coincides with a Region 5 conference of
the Purple Heart
Association, which enabled many Purple Heart recipients
to be in attendance of the dedication.
"By
establishing a Purple Heart Trail across the State
of Oklahoma, we are honoring every wartime veteran
who has served this great country. The men and women
who have fought for our freedoms will be forever remembered
for their efforts," said Representative McCarter.
The
markers will be located in the center median of I-40
at the Dallas/Ft. Worth junctions.
For more information, contact:
Senate
Communications
Division
- (405) 521-5774
