Jacksonville Postmaster participates in Purple Heart Day Recognition Ceremony

Jacksonville Postmaster Debbie Gornik attended the 8th Annual Purple Heart Day Ceremony hosted by the City of Jacksonville and the Chapter 524 - Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH).  Held on August 7th at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall, this event recognizes and honors local Purple Heart Award recipients.  Gov. Rick Scott designated August 7, 2014 as Florida Purple Heart Day with a proclamation. Also present along with an estimated 160 attendees was Customer Relations Coordinator Dee Carter.  The Veterans Memorial Wall, dedicated in 1995, displays the names of deceased Purple Heart recipients by the war served (from World War I to the Global War on Terrorism) then by the local high school attended.  Postmaster Gornik presented a poster-size framed Forever Purple Heart Stamp artwork for display beside a purple floral wreath in front of the Wall.  One of the highlights of this heartfelt ceremony was the honorable recognition by retired postal employee Sylvester Bolden (also a Purple Heart recipient) of retired postal employee and the oldest local Purple Heart recipient Samuel Muldrew who is 91 years young and received his Purple Heart Award in 1943; having served in World War II.  It was stated that Jacksonville has the second largest Veterans Memorial Wall in the nation, outside of Washington, DC.

L-R:  Jacksonville Postmaster Debbie Gornik expresses her appreciation and thanks to William Smith, Adjutant, Chapter 524 MOPH; also, a program participant, for his military service and accomplishments.  Mr. Smith is a former postal employee.