The SAR MAGAZINE is the official quarterly publication of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution published quarterly.
Issue link: http://sar.epubxp.com/i/374815
SUMMER 2014 41 PPP The dedication of a beautiful Purple Heart monument became a reality on Saturday afternoon, April 12, in Walton, Ky. The Captain William Arnold Chapter, under the leadership of President Jackie Miller I, spearheaded the effort with a financial commitment from the city of Walton, which earlier was recognized as the first Purple Heart city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Captain William Arnold Chapter, KYSSAR, noticed two years ago that Walton had a beautiful Veterans Memorial Park behind its city building with monuments to every branch of the United States military and tributes to every war. The financial commitment for the monuments and the patriotism of that small city were very moving. The only missing link to the Veterans Memorial Park was a Purple Heart monument. Miller approached Rev. Forrest Chilton, chairman of the KYSSAR Veterans Committee, to enlist the aid of the KYSSAR for statewide support. Tom Geimeier, KYSSAR president (2013-14) worked with Miller and Rev. Chilton on the final design, the dedication planning, and the KYSSAR Color Guard's involvement. Doug Collins, current KYSSAR president and member of the Louisville Thruston Chapter, was the ranking KYSSAR officer and presented guest speaker Col. Christopher Smrt with an SAR Purple Heart pin. Participants in the ceremony included the City of Walton, with mayor and council members; Order of the Purple Heart members; several American Legion and VFW posts; Kentucky state senators; local county sheriffs; the Boone County judge-executive; a Pendleton County Boy Scout Troop; DAR and C.A.R. chapters; the KYSSAR, with the Captain William Arnold, Governor Isaac Shelby, John Howe, Lexington Lafayette and Simon Kenton chapters; and the Richard Montgomery Artillery Group. Numerous community members also attended. Lance Carter, Vice President General of the NSSAR's Central District, was there representing President General Joseph W. Dooley. The cost of the monument, above, including installation, The compatriots forming the color guard are Barnett Ellis, John Hoag, Lyman Miller (may not be visible) and Charles Goslin (in white). Goslin designed the 123rd Congress medal.