The Pueblo West Metropolitan District, in partnership with the Pueblo West VFW Post 5812, will recognize Pueblo West's status as a Purple Heart Community at noon on Saturday, April 15 at VFW Post 5812, 127 E. Spaulding Ave. in Pueblo West.
Open to the community, the event will include a short motorcycle parade, presentation of colors by the Pueblo West High School JROTC, and the unveiling of a roadside sign recognizing Pueblo West as a Purple Heart Community. The unveiling ceremony will be followed by a community event that will include food trucks, drinks, and music.
The ceremony will also include comments by Charlie Keen, a Vietnam veteran, Purple Heart recipient and Pueblo West resident. Pueblo West residents who are Purple Heart recipients are also invited to attend the event and be recognized for their valor.
"It's appropriate that Pueblo West is a Purple Heart Community," said Anthony Sandstrom, Pueblo West Metro District Communications Manager. "Pueblo West is home to nearly 3,000 veterans, which translates to about one out of every 10 residents. We are also home to many active duty servicemembers stationed at Fort Carson. Veterans and active-duty military are the foundation to our great community."
The focal point of the event is the unveiling of the Purple Heart Community roadside sign, which stands in many other Purple Heart communities.
"Pueblo West was officially proclaimed a Purple Heart Community in 2019," Sandstrom said. "At the time of the proclamation, however, plans weren't made to erect roadside signs recognizing our distinction. The sign unveiling event provides an opportunity to reaffirm our community's recognition and remembrance of Purple Heart recipients in Pueblo West."
Pueblo West Purple Heart recipients interested in attending the ceremony and being recognized for their valor are asked to contact the Pueblo West Metro District Communications Office at (719) 352-2741.
