By: Kadyann Stupart
On Sept. 1, Saint Leo University designated two student parking spaces on campus for recipients of the Purple Heart award. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded during war by the hands of the enemy. It is also awarded posthumously to the next of kin should the members have been killed in action or died from wounds received in action. According to thepurpleheart.com, although there has not been a consistent record kept of recipients of the medals since 1932, it is estimated that 1.8 million purple hearts have been awarded since the medal’s establishment by George Washington as a Badge of Military Merit on Aug. 7, 1782.The parking signs were donated to the university by the Wounded Warriors Family Support, which an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations. Col. Pamela Martis, director of Military Affairs and Services, felt that the parking spaces are a great addition to the campus.
“[The student parking spaces] are a small recognition that Saint Leo wants to give to the veterans and military who have earned that distinctive honor,” said Martis.
She goes on to advise the recipients of the medal to go to either Campus Security or the Office of Military Affairs and Services, located on the first floor of Kirk Hall, to fill out a form and they will be given a sticker which acts as a parking pass to utilize the parking spaces. The Department of Military affairs has a busy semester ahead of them. Several changes are on the way for ROTC, including a new location on campus, a new Military Resource Center opening on University Campus, and a new officer
joining the team.
