Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
The City of Eustace is presented as a Purple Heart City from Caring for America of Henderson County March 6. Pictured is U.S. Army Veteran Ronnie Payne (from left), Councilmember Randy Johnson, Councilmember Daniel Smith, City Secretary Sandy Lane, Councilmember Chuck Powers, Councilmember Travis Guthrie, Caring for America President Ben Pate, U.S. Army Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient Elvis Allen, Eustace Mayor Dustin Shelton, Gold Star Spouse and Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 1513 Public Relations and Events Director Lisa Marie Holmes, Councilmember Tim Meyer and U.S. Navy Veteran Greg Carver.

EUSTACE–The City of Eustace met for their regular session meeting March 6. Mayor Dustin Shelton and council members were approached by Caring for America Henderson County (CFAHC), to become the next Purple Heart City.
Shelton introduced CFAHC President Ben Pate. “Caring for America focuses on First Responders and Veterans. We offer scholarships to Henderson County High School Seniors for pursuing careers in law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services and medical services.  We recently have eight applicants that we are reviewing right now for scholarships for $1,500 and if they go to Trinity Valley Community College they usually match it making the total scholarship for $3,000. CFAHC has helped with financial support for Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force, we pay for their meals, travel, trainings and courses, we also offer to pay expenses  for volunteer fire departments continuing fire training and services. We are very passionate about honoring our Henderson County veterans, we also want to thank them for their sacrifices to the United States of America. We have a special Veterans Day at the Texan in Athens.  Each year on Veterans Day we offer all veterans to be our guest for a free meal, a presentation and this year we will be able to offer almost $4,500 in gifts and prizes for our veterans. We also support our veterans by honoring them and working with cities and communities to become Purple Heart designated,“ said Pate. Pate continued with describing what a Purple Heart is, “a military decoration awarded to members of a United States Armed Forces who was wounded or killed while serving.  There are 45,000 purple heart recipients in the state of Texas, more than any other state.” 
Gold Star Spouse and Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 1513 Public Relations and Events Director Lisa Marie Holmes continued with the presentation. Holmes said, “Henderson County will be the very first county that every major city and town will be a designated Purple Heart city or town, this has never been done before, so we are excited. I represent the Purple Heart.”  Holmes’ husband was the founder of the Purple Heart chapter for north Texas, who passed away in 2021. According to Holmes they wanted to wash Texas purple. She said, “My husband wanted everyone to know that Texas has more living Purple Heart Recipients than any other state. The reason that is is because we are tough.” Holmes continued with, “anyone that has served in the military understands that taking care of our own. Well, that is the same as Texas.” Holmes addressed the council, “We are really excited about you becoming a Purple Heart City. We hope that one day we are able to rename U.S. Highway 175 as a Purple Heart Trail.”
Before reading the proclamation, Shelton said, “I would like to thank you for recognizing our Purple Heart Recipients, our veterans, our law enforcement and first responders. Thank you for the deeds you are doing and bringing this to the attention of the community.”