ISSUED: 8 August 2019
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University commemorated Purple Heart Day with a ribbon cutting for a new parking space in front of Gardiner Hall, where the Veterans Center is located, that is designated for Purple Heart medal recipients. The space is marked with a sign and a curb that is painted purple. Wayne “Bud” Casto, U.S. Army and Purple Heart veteran, VFW Post 3522, gave keynote remarks and cut the ribbon.
“As we work to bring more veterans to Shepherd and work with the VA Center, we want to build up the Veterans Student Organization,” said Dr. John “Quincy” Adams, interim vice president for student affairs. “This parking space is an important offering toward that goal.”
Shepherd student veterans who participated in the ceremony included Richard Martinez, nursing major, Harpers Ferry; Jay Minnick, education major, Sharpsburg, Maryland; and Robert Hardin, biology major, Bryans Road, Maryland, and president of the student veterans association.
National Purple Heart Day is observed on August 7 each year to commemorate the creation of the oldest American military decoration for military merit, awarded to members of the armed forces who are wounded or killed in combat.
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