Palmetto Bay Unveils New Welcome Sign Honoring Veterans

PALMETTO BAY, FL — The village of Palmetto Bay has taken the wraps off a new welcome sign that honors U.S. military veterans. The sign highlights the community's status as a Purple Heart City. The village became the first municipality in Miami-Dade to be designated a Purple Heart City back in 2016.

"Palmetto Bay cares about our veterans," declared Mayor Eugene Flinn at an unveiling ceremony this week. "We will continue to work with our veterans and American Legion Marlin Moore Post 133 to ensure they remain a valued segment of our Palmetto Bay family."

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Hershel Woodrow (”Woody”) Williams, the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from Iwo Jima, served as an honored guest speaker duing a previous groundbreaking event in October 2016.

The Purple Heart City designation is intended to honor the service of U.S. military veterans, but particularly those who have earned the Purple Heart military award. The Purple Heart is given to members of the U.S. military who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of an enemy.

In addition to the welcome sign, Palmetto Bay officials also unveiled a dedicated Purple Heart parking spot at Village Hall. The sign reserves parking for Purple Heart recipients.

"The unveiling of the Purple Heart parking was another step I am proud to lead in recognizing our veterans, in this case, our Purple Heart veterans," Flinn explained. "I continue to move our village forward to realize the commitments that I directed our village to take in becoming the first municipality in South Florida in becoming recognized as a 'Purple Heart City.' I sponsored this resolution back in 2016 and we all are pleased that the Village Council and staff have been unanimous in their support for veterans."

The mayor said that the community also plans to establish Palmetto Bay Heroes Park to further recognize the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans.

"This will be an exciting park and will include our Gold Star Families," Flinn said.

Village oficials this week also highlighted the important relationship between residents and the community's police department during the National Night Out observance.

Lt. Maria Guerra, who is Palmetto Bay's acting police commander, and several of her officers were on hand to greet the younger residents with cotton candy and snow cones.

Photo gallery courtesy village of Palmetto Bay