More than 80 names will be added to Niagara County’s Purple Heart Book of Honor and monument during a ceremony at 1 p.m. Aug. 3 on the front lawn of the county courthouse on Hawley Street in Lockport.
Currently, there are more than 400 names in the county’s Purple Heart Book of Honor, according to Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski. The Purple Heart is awarded to those wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. military.
Many local dignitaries will be on hand for Aug. 3’s ceremony, including guest speaker Don MacSwan, the Town of Wheatfield supervisor who is a Vietnam War veteran. After the event, MacSwan will host a signing of his book, “Doc, A Combat Medic’s Story.”
The Tonawanda American Legion Band will be also performing, starting around 12:30 p.m. The courthouse building will be opened for those who wish to see the displays in the rotunda, including WWI hero Frank Gaffney’s Congressional Medal of Honor and select items from the highly regarded “Secret Weapons of WWII” exhibit.
There will be handicapped parking in the courthouse lot, with additional parking across the street. Seating will be available for honorees. Others attending are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.
“We hope members of the public will join us for the Purple Heart Ceremony as we preserve the legacy of Niagara County residents wounded or killed fighting for our country so future generations will know of their sacrifice,” Jastrzemski said.
Those with questions can call the Clerk’s Office at 439-7025 or the Veteran’s Service Agency at 438-4090.