The City Council of Crossville held a regular meeting tonight which began with an invocation by a local pastor expressing gratitude for life, community leaders, first responders, military personnel, and veterans, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance presented by young Marines. Afterwards, Mayor RJ Crawford officially designated Crossville as a Purple Heart City with a proclamation.

This honor, brought forward with support from representatives of the Daughters of the American Revolution, highlights the city’s deep admiration and gratitude for the men and women who have served in the armed forces, particularly those from the Crossville area who have made significant sacrifices to preserve national freedoms.

The proclamation notes the Purple Heart’s historical significance as the oldest U.S. military decoration in use—originally established by General George Washington in 1782 as the Badge of Military Merit and the first award available to common soldiers—specifically given to service members wounded or killed in combat against declared enemies of the United States.

It also references the Military Order of the Purple Heart’s mission to foster goodwill among combat-wounded veterans and their families, promote patriotism, support relevant legislation, and ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.

The designation acknowledges Crossville’s notably large and highly decorated veteran population, including Purple Heart recipients, and emphasizes the importance of publicly honoring their courage while encouraging all citizens to show appreciation, respect, and ongoing support for these individuals and their contributions to the community’s way of life.

During the ceremony, the mayor invited any present Purple Heart recipients to participate in a group photo to commemorate the occasion.