Special to the Parade
The City of South Padre Island will host a dedication ceremony for the Rio Grande Valley Purple Heart Memorial Trail on Nov. 11, 2011 at 2:30 p.m.
The ceremony will be held at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark located at 33261 State Park Rd. 100.
In the past legislative session, a bill was passed that extended the Purple Heart Trail to the Rio Grande Valley. The extensions includes the Texas part of Interstate Highway 40, the part of Interstate Highway 37 from I-35 to U.S. Highway 77, the part of U.S. Highway 77 from I-37 to state Highway 100, State Highway 100, and Park Road 100. The bill was passed in the State Legislature with the leadership of Senator Lucio Jr. and Representative Lozano.
The Purple Heart Trail now extends from San Antonio to South Padre Island along with connecting the trail from New Mexico to Oklahoma.
The Purple Heart Trail creates a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges, and other monuments which honor the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal. Originally known as the Badge of Military Merit, the Purple Heart medal was created by General George Washington in 1782. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the Armed forces of the U.S. who were wounded at war by the hands of the enemy. It is also awarded posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those killed in the line of duty or died of wounds received in action.
Attending will be Eddie Lucio Jr., Texas State Senator, J.M. Lozano, Texas State Representative, Mayor Robert N. Pinkerton, Jr., the City of South Padre Island City Council, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Texas Chapter, for the dedication of the Rio Grande Valley Purple Heart Memorial Trail.
“I believe that the Purple Heart Trail will recognize those in the Valley that gave their lives, those that shed their blood, and those that served. Over the years, Valley residents have been major contributors to this country’s freedom through the service that its’ men and women have given, and this is a way to recognize them,” said Mayor Robert N. Pinkerton, Jr.
Following the dedication ceremony, local talent Leslie Blasing will offer a free Veterans Day Concert to all attendees at the Schlitterbahn’s Shrimp Haus at 4 p.m. Leslie will sing music influenced by wars, conflicts and rebellions from 1775 to the present.
For more information, call (956) 761-3221 or email RVasquez@MySPI.org.
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