December 20, 2024 By Carol Britton Meyer
At the end of a recent presentation by the Veterans’ Council to the select board about its ongoing activities, Hingham High School junior Henry Buckley — son of veteran John Buckley and the grandson of a Purple Heart recipient, Frederick J. Sheehan — advocated for the town to seek designation as a Purple Heart Community by the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH).
John Buckley — a former Veterans’ Council member — initially floated the idea of honoring Hingham’s Purple Heart recipients in this way before the council, which then did some research about the process.
Keith Jermyn, Veterans’ Services Officer – ex officio, and the council are involved in the effort. The Purple Heart is awarded to those wounded or killed while serving in the United States military. Henry noted, however, that unfortunately, veterans struggling with PTSD aren’t considered to be “wounded in action.”
Communities interested in being so designated are required to write a proclamation explaining why they are seeking this designation. The statements are then filed with the MOPH for review. Once the designation has been made, there’s typically a small ceremony to make it “official.”
Purple Heart signs posted at entrances to participating communities show their dedication to those who were awarded Purple Hearts as well as others who served their country.
‘This town is dedicated to its veterans’
“I’ve grown up around veterans, and I know how strongly this town is dedicated to them,” Henry said. “Having Hingham proclaimed a Purple Heart Community would solidify that support.”
The select board expressed enthusiasm for seeking such designation. “Hingham is such a strong supporter of veterans, and the board is absolutely behind you on this,” Chair Joseph Fisher told Henry.
“I think this can be accomplished pretty quickly,” select board member William Ramsey said. “Let’s do it.”
Veterans’ Council member Tom Hoffman said Senator Patrick O’Connor’s office has been contacted and is onboard to help the town work through the process.
“No select board vote is required tonight,” Hoffman said. “We just want to get the process moving.” Once the proclamation is finalized, the select board will take a vote.
Goal is to post signs at 11 entrances to town
Hoffman said the council has enough money in the veterans assistance fund to purchase 11 signs for posting at the entrances to the town. Posting all the signs is contingent on Massachusetts Department of Transportation approval to post 7 of them at the entrances of state-owned roadways leading into Hingham on the Cohasset, Hull, Norwell, and Weymouth town lines and on Rte. 3A by the Back River.
Other Purple Heart sign locations are Fort Hill at French Street, High Street, the transfer station exit, and Rockland Street.
“We’re thrilled to support this!” select board member Liz Klein said.
In addition to working on the Purple Heart Community effort, Veterans’ Council activities include placing flags on veterans’ graves for Memorial Day, participation in the Fourth of July Parade Committee’s 50 Flags fundraiser, overseeing Veterans Day ceremonies, putting together soldiers care packages and veterans gift bags, and taking part in the Wreaths Across America program.