DALTON, Mass. — The town has been home to many veterans and soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in military service — a new proclamation honors their service and sacrifice.

 

The Select Board signed a proclamation declaring the town a Purple Heart Community, joining communities across the commonwealth to adopt this as a way to honor their local Purple Heart recipients. 

 

"This designation is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a public affirmation of Dalton's respect, gratitude, and enduring commitment to the men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the United States Armed Forces," Historical Commission co-Chair Deborah Kovacs said at the Select Board meeting Monday night. 

 

The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration that is still awarded to service members, recognizing their sacrifice, courage, and an unwavering devotion to the nation.

 

The Purple Heart originated on Aug. 7, 1782, when Gen. George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit to recognize enlisted soldiers and noncommissioned officers for exceptional service during the Revolutionary War. 

 

It fell out of use after the war but was revived in 1932 on Washington's 200th birthday under the leadership of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.  

 

Under the revival, it was still awarded for meritorious service or for combat wounds but during World War II this narrowed to service members wounded or killed as a direct or indirect result of enemy action. That wounds-only standard has remained in place ever since.

 

If a town wants to become a Purple Heart Community, it works with Military Order of the Purple Heart, which administers the program nationally

 

The basic requirements is to have at least one living or deceased Purple Heart recipient connected to the community, passing an official proclamation or resolution, which the Select Board did Monday, and recognizing National Purple Heart Day on Aug. 7.

 

The town has several Purple Heart recipients, several of which are recognized through the commission's Hometown Heroes Project. 

 

Five commemorative banners hang outside of Town Hall recognizing Purple Heart recipients Army Spec. Mitchell Daehling, Army Corp. Gary Benjamin, Marine Lance Cpl. Patrick Muraca, and Marine 2nd Lt. Michael Casey. 

 

"This declaration would also align with the values that Dalton has consistently demonstrated: respect for service, pride in community and a commitment to honoring those who have given more than most," Kovacs told the board. 

 

With this approval, the designation can be recognized through public messaging, signage at town gateways, and inclusion in future veteran-related programming, she said. 

 

"It is a meaningful, dignified step that reflects who we are as a community," Kovacs said. 

 

While the town's designation is symbolic, Purple Heart recipients qualify for a range of concrete federal and state benefits worth knowing about, especially for recipients or family members who may not have claimed everything available to them.

 

This includes automatic enrollment in the U.S. Veteran Affairs healthcare Priority Group 3, a 10-point preference when applying for federal civil service positions, and a specialized Purple Heart license plate.