Sumter mayor declares Purple Heart Day

Sumter Mayor Joe McElveen recently signed an official proclamation declaring Tuesday, Aug. 7, as Purple Heart Day in the City of Sumter.

The proclamation honors military veterans who are recipients of the Purple Heart, a U.S. military decoration awarded to military members who have been wounded or killed while serving in combat operations against hostile enemy forces.

The General George L. Mabry Jr. Chapter 817 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart was founded in 2011 and consists of 31 Purple Heart recipients in the Sumter community.

From left: Patriot Ron Harvin, Patriot Dave Nesbitt, McElveen, Chapter Adjutant Leroy Thompson and Patriot Don Kellum. McElveen is an associate member of the chapter based upon his father's Purple Heart in World War II.