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Image of a Purple Heart Medal by US Coast Guard Academy from Flickr.
Select Board Chair Robert Gotti announced through a Purple Heart Proclamation on May 23, 2022, that Westwood is a Purple Heart Community and that going forward, the Town of Westwood will join in the national recognition of Purple Heart Day on August 7th of each year. The time will mark an occasion for flying the Purple Heart Flag outside Westwood’s Town Hall and showing the Purple Heart signage at six entrances to Westwood.
Mr. Gotti noted that the town has one living Purple Heart veteran, Richard F. Gibbons, who served as an Army captain, airborne Ranger, and commanded a company unit in Vietnam. His years of service were from 1965 to 1969.
The Purple Heart Medal is awarded to those who serve with the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded, killed or died of wounds received in armed conflict on behalf of the United States or as the result of an act of any hostile foreign force. As a general during the American Revolution, George Washington created the honor in 1782, called the Badge of Military Merit.
Notably, Mr. Gibbons is also recipient of multiple other military honors, including the Silver Star, one of the nation’s highest military awards for bravery and exceptional service under fire, and the Bronze Star, an award for heroism or achievement.
