DEDICATION – Officials with Hancock County Savings Bank, the City of Weirton and American Legion Post 10 gathered Friday to dedicate a parking space at the bank’s Weirton branch for recipients of the Purple Heart. The move is part of local efforts to expand on the Purple Heart Project, launched in 2022 by VFW Post 4442. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — The effort to honor the nation’s combat-wounded veterans continues to grow in the community.

Representatives of Hancock County Savings Bank, the city and local veterans gathered Friday at the bank’s Three Springs Drive offices to unveil and dedicate a parking space set for use by those military veterans who have been awarded with the Purple Heart.

The Purple Heart Parking Project was launched in 2022 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4442 in Elm Grove, with a goal of establishing such parking spaces at each West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles office in the state.

Weirton Assistant City Manager DeeAnn Pulliam explained when the project reached Weirton’s DMV office, Mayor Harold Miller wanted to see it expand.

“He decided we needed to have this in the City of Weirton,” she said.

Miller said it took all of three seconds to decide to join the program.

Two spaces were dedicated by the city in Municipal Plaza last fall – one at the Weirton Municipal Building and one at the Millsop Community Center. American Legion Post 10 has stepped up to assist in the efforts, and Hancock County Savings Bank is among the first businesses to sign on to the campaign.

“It was really an easy decision,” noted Douglas A. Comm, president and CEO of the bank.

Comm explained the history of the Purple Heart, originally known as the Badge of Military Merit and presented by George Washington on three known occasions during the American Revolution. While falling out of practice for some time, the honor resurfaced after World War I, carrying on the same ideals Washington had in recognizing those wounded brave.

“It is a reminder of the few sacrificing for the many,” Comm said.

Frank Haber, a Weirton native now living in Burgettstown, is among the local recipients of the Purple Heart, having been wounded during service in Vietnam.

“This is such a wonderful dedication,” he said, noting, even now there are instances where he knows of his contemporaries not being acknowledged for their service and sacrifice.

He said he would like to eventually see similar efforts made, not just for Purple Heart recipients, but all veterans.

Friday’s dedication also included a recitation by Pastor Gary C. Lilly of his poem, “America Thanks You,” which he wrote in memory and honor of Cpl. R. Steve Roberts. Roberts, who died in August, received three Purple Hearts during his military service. He recently was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.