Letter from the Mayor Pro Tem: August 2025

August 1, 2025

Honoring Purple Heart Month

As the calendar turns to a new month, familiar traditions and events return. Schools are beginning another chapter for parents, students, teachers, administrators, and coaches. We also look forward to National Night Out, a time to celebrate our brave first responders—and of course, the kickoff of another exciting football season.

But there’s one important observance in August that many may not be aware of: Purple Heart Month. This month is dedicated to honoring the courageous men and women who have been wounded or killed in action while serving in the U.S. military.

The month culminates on August 7th—Purple Heart Day—which commemorates the day in 1782 when General George Washington created the “Badge of Military Merit” during the American Revolutionary War. The modern Purple Heart was reestablished in 1932, with General Douglas MacArthur as its first recipient.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart is a national organization with over 45,000 members. Its mission is to foster camaraderie among wounded combat veterans and help them obtain benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

In April 2014, I had the privilege of serving on the Nixa City Council when we passed a resolution recognizing Nixa as a Purple Heart City. Later that year, Mayor Sam Clifton issued our first proclamation designating August as Purple Heart Month in Nixa. This moment was especially meaningful to me, as I have a personal connection to the award.

My grandfather, Carroll Peterson, was a proud recipient of the Purple Heart. He received the award on Veterans Day 2008 from Senator John Thune (SD) for wounds he sustained while serving in the U. S. Army during World War II. I know we have community members who also hold this award, and to all of you, I say a sincere thank you for your sacrifice.

This August, I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by our nation’s heroes. Their courage and dedication preserve the freedoms we cherish every day.