Weirton dedicates parking spaces for Purple Heart recipients
DEDICATING THE SPACE – Weirton officials were joined Tuesday by local recipients of the Purple Heart, as well as Hancock County commissioners and other guests as two parking spaces in Municipal Plaza were dedicated for use by recipients of the Purple Heart. -- Craig Howell
LOOK FOR THE SIGN – This sign has been placed to denote each of the parking spots in Municipal Plaza dedicated to recipients of the Purple Heart. The City of Weirton has established spaces at the Municipal Building and the Millsop Community Center, joining a previously dedicated space at the state office building. -- Craig Howell
DEDICATING THE SPACE – Weirton officials were joined Tuesday by local recipients of the Purple Heart, as well as Hancock County commissioners and other guests as two parking spaces in Municipal Plaza were dedicated for use by recipients of the Purple Heart. -- Craig Howell
LOOK FOR THE SIGN – This sign has been placed to denote each of the parking spots in Municipal Plaza dedicated to recipients of the Purple Heart. The City of Weirton has established spaces at the Municipal Building and the Millsop Community Center, joining a previously dedicated space at the state office building. -- Craig Howell
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WEIRTON -- The Purple Heart is considered the nation's oldest military decoration, awarded to those wounded or killed while serving.
Tuesday morning, Weirton city officials and local veterans gathered in the Weirton Room of the Millsop Community Center to pay tribute to those who have received the medal and make certain they are recognized throughout the community.
"You've got to recognize the people who served," explained Mayor Harold "Bubba" Miller as part of a ceremony to unveil two parking spaces in Municipal Plaza dedicated solely for Purple Heart recipients.
The project takes a cue from an effort started in 2022 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4442 in Elm Grove. "The Purple Heart Parking Project" has grown to include 50 parking locations in Wheeling and one at each of West Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles offices.
This statewide effort reached Weirton in August, with a parking space reserved at the state office building in Municipal Plaza. It was during the dedication, Miller said, city officials decided to expand on it.
"I didn't walk away without saying 'Yes, we'll do it and how many can we get?'" Miller said.
For the city's part, one parking spot has been dedicated at the Millsop Community Center, and another at the Weirton Municipal Building.
Much of Tuesday's service was dedicated to the memory of R. Steve Roberts, a Weirton resident who served in the Marine Corps with the Second Battalion 5th Marines Hotel Company. During his military service, Roberts, who died in August, was awarded with three Purple Hearts.
Inspired by his service, Pastor Gary Lilly of Restoration Church recited a poem, "America Thanks You," he wrote, inspired by Roberts' service.
In addition to Roberts, the city recognized several other local Purple Heart recipients, presenting certificates of appreciation to them or a representative. Those veterans included the late Paul Buffington, Douglas Kiraly, John Radvansky, James Beeman, Jack Enerst, Frank Haber and Ian Hurst.
City officials noted there are plans for additional Purple Heart parking spaces in the city in the future.