Veterans made extraordinary sacrifices for our country. Those who earn a Purple Heart receive our military’s highest award and deserve recognition. This session, I supported legislation to help Indiana’s surviving spouses of these honorable, decorated veterans.
The Purple Heart medal is presented to service members wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. military. A Purple Heart is a solemn distinction and means a service member performed a great sacrifice while in the line of duty. To help honor these brave members of our community, Purple Heart recipients can request multiple specialty license plates for vehicles registered under their name.
Currently, once these veterans pass away, their spouses cannot renew the Purple Heart plate. Through this legislation, surviving spouses will be able to obtain the plate and continue honoring their loved one.
While service members must make many sacrifices, their family members do as well. For this reason, a veteran’s spouse should be able to own a Purple Heart license plate to support their loved one, even after their passing. After enduring so much, something as simple as a license plate can help a spouse continue to honor their loved one.
Eligible recipients would fill out an application and include documentation of their loved one’s Purple Heart before submitting it to the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
Purple Heart recipients made incredible sacrifices and honoring their memory shouldn’t be limited. House Enrolled Act 1039 is now with the governor for consideration as a new law. Visit iga.in.gov to learn more.
State Rep. Bob Cherry, R-Greenfield, represents House District 53, which includes portions of Hancock and Madison counties. Send comments to [email protected].
