The city of Grove City held its annual observance of National Purple Heart Day from Aug. 5 to Aug. 9 at the Purple Heart Memorial Walk in Henceroth Park. Throughout those five days, dozens of residents and non-residents alike walked the path of heroes as they remembered the men and women who were wounded or killed in combat while serving in the United States Armed Forces. On Friday morning, the city held a special ceremony to pay homage to the families of the fallen and to honor the area’s living recipients of the Purple Heart Medal. Among those wounded veterans who received recognition at the event were Bernie Ryznar, John Flinn, Mikel Rhodes, Bill Purdy, John Kruetzkamp, and Eldon Erlembach (pictured from left to right in the second row) and Korean War veteran John Kelly (seated in front). Mayor Richard “Ike” Stage and the ceremony’s attendees thanked them for their service and sacrifice.
