8.7.2025 Fall River Designated as a Purple Heart City

There you go.

Good morning, Paul River. distinguished guest officials, Senator Rogers and all of the state reps here, uh, Representative Sylvia, uh, Fiola, Olette, uh, and I even think, uh, Representative Thurber is here as well.

Thank you all for attending today.

Um to the Purple Heart recipients in attendance and the gold star families, veterans, first responders, and supportive neighbors. Welcome to Veterans Memorial Bsentennial Park on this Purple Heart Day. As we stand in this solemn place, we recognize this is no ordinary park. It is a place that veterans, their family members, and visitors alike share in the memorialization of the lives lost in war

that are enshrined here as a tribute to the service and sacrifice of so many that have worn our nation's scars of battle. Today, we add a new chapter to our city's proud record of service. We are officially becoming a Purple Heart community. From Bangor, Maine to San Diego, California, towns and cities have embraced this designation to proclaim a single promise. We will never forget the

cost of our freedom or the people who bore it in flesh and spirit.

This journey for Fall River began 10 months ago, and today we stand recognized by the military order of the Purple Heart as a Purple Heart community. very soon. I also hope to have us join the Purple Heart Trail across America as that is our next step in this journey. Fall River has always been a city of stitches and steel, a place where hard work is woven with heart. Our mills spun cloth for

uniforms. Our shipyards built holes for the fleet. And for every war from 1775, our sons and daughters have stepped forward. Some came home with visible wounds. Some carried scars that only quiet moments reveal, and some did not come home at all. When we unveiled the Purple Heart signs today, we joined a nationwide fellowship of communities that honor that sacrifice every day of

the year. Not just with ceremonies, but with action. Helping a veteran navigate benefits, offering a seat at a council table, or simply saying, "Thank you.

Your courage lives here." To our Purple Heart recipients in attendance, you turn personal pain into living monuments of resilience.

Your city sees you, stands with you, and commits itself a new to guarding your well-being. To our gold star families, we speak your loved ones names with reverence. And we vow that those names will echo through our community, our parks, and our public memory. And to every resident gathered, I challenge us.

Let today be more than a designation.

Let it be a starting line where service meets citizenship and remembrance becomes responsibility.

Thank you for being part of this historic moment. Now, please, if you're able to stand, please do so as we begin our formal program.

Honor guard, present the colors.

Please remain standing for the national anthem performed by Massachusetts own season 25 semi-finalist from The Voice, contestant Miss Madison Corbelloo and her brother.

Might have the ad hoc here.

I know Miss Carbillo has been uh Oh, here she is. Come on up, guys. I'm sorry. I didn't want to miss you here.

Can you see by the dawn early light?

What so proudly we held at the twilight last gleaming who bright stripes and bright stars through the fight.

For the ramparts we watch were so galling and the rockare.

The bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star spangled then yet or the land of the free and the home of the Brave.

Thank you very much for that selection.

They will now be singing God Bless America.

God bless.

that I love.

Stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above.

From the mountains to the pra God bless my home sweet home.

God bless America, my home sweet home.

Thank you all very much for that. You now may be seated.

At this time, I'd like to have our hearts opened in prayer. Please welcome Father Rob Nimkovich.

Please join me in prayer.

Lord God, as we gather in your presence in this sacred space, honoring those who served and serve our country today, we recall August 7th, 1782 when General George Washington created the badge of military merit, an award that was a figure of a heart and purple cloth honoring those serving in our military, deserving of recognition. the precursor to the Purple Heart given to those who were wounded or killed in

battle. On this Purple Heart Day, as Fall River becomes a Purple Heart city, we gather to honor and remember those who have sacrificed in the name of freedom and peace. We show our respect and gratitude to those killed in action.

To those veterans as well as those serving who have earned the Purple Heart, being wounded in service to our country and fighting for our freedom. We thank you for their sacrifice and lift them up and their families to you in prayer.

We are forever grateful for the valor, courage, and selflessness of those who are recipients of the Purple Heart and their military service. May their stories be respected, their service elevated. May your light and presence, Lord, be a soothing balm to the injuries that mark their bodies, minds, and souls. And may we all advocate for their healing. We ask your blessings upon them for their unselfish

service and our ongoing struggle to preserve our freedom, safety, and the heritage of our American nation in the world today. We humbly acknowledge our debt to them and ask for the strength to go on towards the ideals for which they fought and served as they sacrificed themselves to advance the ideal of world peace, justice, and equality of all. May they inspire our continued efforts

towards this same end. This we ask in your holy name. Amen.

Thank you, Father Rob.

It is my honor to call forward Mayor Paul Kugan for the reading and signing of the official proclamation designating Fall River as a Purple Heart community.

Um, right before we get to that though, I want to thank everybody for turning out to this glorious place where we honor our veterans of all the wars and all the services. And today we specially acknowledge our Purple Heart recipients from the area. Um, this is a special day for the city of Fall River and we do appreciate everyone joining us down at Bsentennial Park.

Whereas the city of Fall River and our community are here to honor and remember the brave men and women of the United States armed forces who have been wounded or killed in combat, demonstrating extraordinary courage and sacrifice in the defense of our great nation. And whereas the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration awarded to US service members established by General George Washington in 1782

and serves as a symbol of the valor and dedication of those who have borne the physical and emotional scars of battle. And whereas the Purple Heart was the first American award or decoration made available to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the United States armed forces who have been wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat.

And whereas our city takes immense pride in its connection to the military and recognizes the importance of commemorating the heroism and sacrifices made by these courageous individuals.

And whereas it is fitting and proper for our community to express gratitude and support to all recipients of the Purple Heart and their families and all veterans who served our country with honor.

Therefore, I, Paul Kugan, mayor of the city of Fall River, do hereby proclaim the city of Fall River as a Purple Heart city. I urge everyone in honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart and to join in expressing our heartfelt appreciation for their ba bravery and sacrifice.

I will now officially sign the proclamation honoring our Purple Heart recipients.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Now, as many of you know, you've driven around the state of Massachusetts, and you've seen signs similar to this in many communities, having Fall River become a Purple Heart city and community has been one of the primary things that's been on my list since taking over as a director of veteran services. Uh, and we managed to get that done. And that's just one of many things that are on the way at this time.

I would like to welcome our one of our very own Purple Heart recipients.

The keynote speaker today will offer us a couple of words on what Purple Heart Day means to him.

Please welcome our keynote speaker, Purple Heart recipient, volunteer, and advocate, Mr. Matthew Del Solo Bizio.

And let me not forget that he is a Desert Storm veteran.

Well, I'm at a loss for words. Um, I'm an Air Force veteran. I served eight years. I served about three years in the Persian Gulf.

I'm an OSI agent. I was attached to an AST unit, anti-terror specialist team. I was on the ground chasing and interrogating terrorists over in the Persian Gulf. I seen a lot of friends come and go, a lot of brothers.

Uh, I actually earned my purple hat in a skirmish at night. Didn't even realize it. I felt the sting on my side. Next thing I know, I had a knife sticking out of my side. Almost pierced my lung. And it took us a day and a half to get to an Iraqi air base before I got fully patched up.

And it's a great honor for this city to be designated as a Purple Heart city.

It's a great honor to all these veterans out there that sacrificed and gave more than what I gave.

And I greatly appreciate everybody's sacrifice.

Everybody deserves this. And I feel really proud and I commemorate you all.

At this time, we will have the recognition of Purple Heart recipients.

At this time, the Office of Veteran Services will recognize Purple Heart recipients.

I invite Miss Sylvia Jones to join me.

Purple Heart recipients in attendance, please stand briefly and be recognized as your name is called.

First, we have Theodore Howard Banks, Jr., United States Marine Corps.

Ronald J. Cabraw, US Army.

Eric J. Copsetta, United States Marine Corps.

James P. Deont, Jr., United States Marine Corps.

Gerald Giltt Gilamett, United States Army.

Rainey Arman, Gilamett, Jr., United States Army.

William and William M. Shaughnessy III, United States Army.

Huh?

Yes. David Sylvia, United States Marine Corps.

And of course, our keynote speaker, Matthew, I'm sorry, Matthew. Matthew Bizio, United States Air Force.

And last but not least, Joe Guerrera, United States Marine Corps.

Now for the list of those who are no longer with us. Deceased John Edward Abdullah, Army Air Forces. That lets you know how long ago that was. Frank C.

Aguar, United States Army. Edward Aguiar, United States Army. John Albernez, United States Army. Richard Henry Almeida, United States Marine Corps. Scott A. Andrews, United States Army. John M. Barbosa, United States Army. Robert J. Barrett, US Army. Leo Thomas Barub, US Army. Vincent O.

Bonnan, US Navy. Alfred Pri Bautello, US Navy. Arman Bello, US Army. Michael E.

Both, US Army. Charles M. Brager, Jr., US Navy.

Edward Milton Canfield, US Army. Gilbert Carvello, US Army National Guard.

Hollister C. Chase, US Army. David Roland, Chinard, US Army.

Michael C. Constantine, US Army. John Ooto, US Army. Michael Eugene Dory, US Army. Alfred D. Olivera, US Army.

Hoggate Joseph Dean, US Army Air Forces.

Joseph Dost, US Army. Joseph N. Dearis, US Army.

Isidor S. Dmerman, US Army. Paul Dufa, US Marine Corps. Raymond Joseph Dumont, US Army. Edward Joseph Duper, US Air Force. Peter G. Enos, US Army. Alan Lee Fjo, US Army. Wilfford Raymond Fontaine, US Marine Corps. Rainey B. For Fierre, US Army. Paul Eugene Frankor, US Army.

Edward Forado, US Marine Corps. Donald Gagny, US Marine Corps. Luis Philip Gagny, US Army. Alfred John Gaspar, US Marine Corps. Joseph David Gibney, US Army. Ethan L. K. Guno, US Army National Guard. James Thomas Griffin, Army, US Army Air Forces. Joseph Marleene Gavoa, US Marine Corps. Joseph Gilamett, Jr., United States Marine Corps.

James Howard, US Army. John Hassan, US Army. George Herbert, US Navy. Thomas J.

Hudner, Jr., US Navy. Donald Charles Johansson, US Army. Edward Click, US Marine Corps. Ronald Francis Lake, US Marine Corps. John Norman Le Point, US Army. Philip Tvarez Leto, US Navy.

Leonard Michael McMillan, US Army.

Michael John Maderas, US Marine Corps.

Albert J. Mashad, US Army. James Raymond Monsour, US Army. Edgar James Moore, US uh Marine Corps. James A. O'Brien, Jr., US Army. Francis Joseph Organ Senior, US Navy. Edward Joseph Peekham, US Army.

Gilbert Careroa Pexo, US Army. Craig F.

Pereira, US Marine Corps. James A.

Perry, US Army Air Forces. Joseph Peron, US Army National Guard. Stephen Joseph Rego, US Marine Corps. William Raposa, US Army. Amos Rego, US Marine Corps.

John J. Vanisen IV, US Marine Corps.

Joseph Fivera, US Army. Clifford A.

Woman, US Army. And John S. Zukowski, US Army.

The reason for reading each of those names is to kind of enumerate to you guys the amount of research that was needed for us to become a Purple Heart community. Um, at this time we'd like to now invite Miss Jane Vanisen to share a poem in tribute to our combat wounded heroes.

Good morning. It's an honor for me to be here today. My name is Jane Vanisen and I'm a gold star mother. My son, Lance Corporal John Vanisen IVth, was killed in action on July 5th, 2004.

Not long after his death, I wrote a poem. And I believe the words were given to me from God, a gift from God to heal my heart. And I'd like to recite this poem for you today. I call it Remember Me.

Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that's how I will remember you. If you only remember me with tears and sorrow, then don't remember me at all.

Our brave soldiers will be remembered for their love of life and the love for their country. God bless America, land of the free and look around you. Home of all our brave. So tonight when you go home and you wrap that blanket of freedom around you, remember all the brave men and women who have fought for us in the past. And remember all the brave men and women who are

fighting for us so that we can be here today. And remember all the brave men and women who have fought and died so that we can sleep free. Thank you.

As you could hear in Miss Vanisen's voice, the loss of a loved one in combat is never forgotten.

The closing prayer will go down at this time and I would like to welcome Mr. Nimbitch back up again to give us a kind word.

Join me in prayer.

Lord God, as we conclude this Purple Heart Day commemoration and we reflect on this important medal, this badge of military merit for wounds received and lives lost given to those who gave themselves so that others could be saved and free. To the nearly two million veterans who have earned the Purple Heart, we ask your grace and blessing and say thank you. To the millions of family members who lived with the in who

live with the injured or with the memory of lost loved ones, we ask your grace and blessing and say thank you for your sacrifice.

To the military personnel yet to be added to their numbers, we ask your grace and blessing and say thank you. On this Purple Heart Day, we remember, honor, and lift up in prayer those brave men and women who put the needs of others before themselves and suffered harm or gave their lives because of it. Through their sacrifice, they have taught us the true meaning of patriotism and that devotion to country

which rises above creed, color, and class. On this day, we bring to mind the love and selflessness which was in the hearts of those who gave themselves and their well-being that we might live in a free and unchained nation. We are grateful for the lessons of this day and rededicate ourselves to the freedom, justice, equality, and peace for which they fought and were wounded for. To all

our heroic Purple Heart recipients, we honor this day. Grant the light of your presence and may the good done in them be cherished by us in a grateful nation.

And may it be continued in our efforts.

This we ask in your most holy name.

Amen.

Thank you, Father Rob.

Over the course of the next month or so, diligent city workers will be placing smaller but similar signs on all city- owned streets leading in and out of the city of Fall River.

At this time, we'll be closing the program. Friends, thank you for witnessing history with us to our Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families.

Yes.

Good catches.

Last but not least, we will have the city's grays and flags officer play a rendition of taps.

Thank you, Victor Fious.

I say again, friends, thank you for witnessing history with us today. to our Purple Heart recipients and gold star families. In appreciation, we will be assembling for a brunch at McGovern's immediately after this ceremony. For everyone else not attending that event, um let us carry today's spirit into tomorrow, checking on a veteran neighbor, teaching our children the meaning of the Purple Heart, and

ensuring Fall River remains a beacon of gratitude. May God bless our veterans, their families, and the city of Fall River. This now concludes our ceremony.