Tonight, Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker and the Fort Wayne City Council announced that Fort Wayne, Indiana, is now recognized as a Purple Heart City.
News release from the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana:
Fort Wayne now recognized as a Purple Heart City
Mayor Tucker and City Council honor veterans at City Council meetingFort Wayne, Indiana (August 4, 2026) – Mayor Sharon Tucker and City Council tonight announced that Fort Wayne is now recognized as a Purple Heart City.
Mayor Tucker attended this evening’s City Council meeting to read a proclamation declaring August 4, 2026, as Purple Heart City Day in the City of Fort Wayne. City Council read a letter of support for the designation. Local representatives in attendance included the Purple Heart Chapter, American Legion Honor Guard, and Legion Riders.
The City was approached by Joe Wasson, veteran service officer for Allen County, to pursue having Fort Wayne become a Purple Heart City. The Military Order of the Purple Heart works to support combat‑wounded veterans and their families, promote patriotism, and ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten. Wasson led the effort to coordinate with the national organization to have Fort Wayne added as a partner city.
The Purple Heart, first established by George Washington in 1782, is the oldest military decoration still awarded today and represents tremendous courage, sacrifice, and devotion to the United States.
National Purple Heart Day will be observed on Friday, August 7.
Text of the letter from the Fort Wayne City Council in support of the designation:
August 4, 2026
The Fort Wayne City Council strongly supports the veterans and their families who are from Fort Wayne and those who choose to make Fort Wayne their home. These men and women are the heartbeat of our community and are so appreciated, not only for what they have done in service of our country, but what they continue, in many cases, to do for our city today. And for those that made the ultimate sacrifice, they did so with our immense gratitude and a promise to continue to care for their loved ones.
With this respect in mind, the Fort Wayne City Council believes that the naming of Fort Wayne a “Purple Heart City” is in line with the beliefs of the community – our unending pride in those who have served at all levels and the ongoing commitment to honor them in our everyday lives, through memorials and living reverence, in the quiet moments and the public ones, to ensure that all involved are aware of our undying respect. As a Purple Heart City, Fort Wayne will continue to promote awareness of the Purple Heart medal and its significance, encourage community-wide recognition of our wounded veterans, and support programs and activities that uplift those who have served. This includes strengthening partnerships with veteran organizations, promoting educational opportunities for residents to learn about the history of the Purple Heart, and ensuring that our public spaces, memorials, and events reflect the respect and appreciation we hold for these heroes.
Please accept this letter as the Fort Wayne City Council’s full-bodied support of those who have served and the families that have supported them through this service. Recognition and continued remembrance of sacrifices by the community through the generations is who we are and who we will continue to be. We appreciate the opportunity to share our unending gratitude.
Sincerely,
Fort Wayne City Council President Martin Bender
Fort Wayne City Council Vice President Paul Ensley
2nd District Fort Wayne City Councilman, Russell Jehl
3rd District Fort Wayne City Councilman, Nathan Hartman
4th District Fort Wayne City Councilman, Scott Myers
5th District Fort Wayne City Councilman, Geoff Paddock
6th District Fort Wayne City Councilwoman, Rohli Booker
At-Large Fort Wayne City Councilwoman, Michelle Chambers
At-Large Fort Wayne City Councilman, Thomas Freistroffer
Download a copy of the letter.
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