2018 Purple Heart Truck Run

SITREP #26 – Sacramento, CA

By Ken Thurman, Commander Chapter 395

 

     After leaving Reno, the Purple Heart Truck headed for Rancho Cordova, just outside Sacramento, and after checking into their hotel, headed to Folsom Ford where the dealership serviced and washed the truck in preparation for the next day’s ceremony.  That afternoon, there was a brief ceremony at the Rancho Cordova City Hall, where Vice Mayor Robert McGarvey welcomed the crew to the city and presented a proclamation by the Mayor and numerous members of the City Commission.  That evening, the drivers were treated to a wonderful dinner by the Patriots of Chapter 385 at Brookfield’s Restaurant.

     On Wednesday, July 18th, the Purple Heart Truck was escorted by small contingent of motorcycles and veterans' vehicles to the State Capitol Park in Sacramento, where the streets around the Capital had been blocked off by the Capital Police and reserved for parking by Purple Heart recipients.  Hosted by MOPH Chapter 385 Commander Ken Thurman, the ceremony took place in a beautiful setting between the Vietnam Memorial, the Rose Garden, and the Purple Heart Monument.  In addition to extensive media coverage, guests included Past Department Commander Jim Anderson and his wife Sherry, California Dept. Commander Charles Earthman, Chapter 385 Patriots, and numerous other representative of local Veteran organizations.  Legislator Ken Cooley, presented the driving team with a proclamation from the California State Legislation honoring the Military Order of the Purple Heart.  They were also given an excerpt from the U.S. Congressional Record of a statement by U.S. Representative Doris Matsui recognizing the positive work by the Military Order of the Purple Heart.