On Thursday, August 7, community members flooded the event space at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Cornelia for a standing-room-only Purple Heart Day ceremony. Led by VFW Post 7720 Commander Barry Church, the event formally recognized Habersham County as a Purple Heart County and honored those wounded or killed in service to their country.
The hotel donated the space, and patriotic spirit filled every corner, along with every seat. Long before the program began, it became clear that the crowd had surpassed expectations. With no seats left by the time the ceremony began, younger and able-bodied attendees quietly gave up their chairs to veterans and elderly guests. The crowd, diverse in age but united in purpose, stood in thoughtful silence as the program unfolded.
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Decorations reflected both celebration and solemnity. Purple, gold, and deep violet balloons formed an attractive display at the front of the room. An American flag stood at attention near the stage, and centerpieces of clustered balloons adorned each table, their colors matching the Purple Heart medal itself, striking against black table cloths.
“If you spill blood, it’s an accident,” Barry Church said in his opening speech. “These men gave their blood.”
“It means a great deal to serve the community,” said Scout Jackson Harkins. He explained that many of his relatives had served in the Army and expressed that his presence was personal.
The event featured remarks by American Legion Post 84 Commander Jim Morgan, who recounted the history of the Purple Heart medal. The Grant-Reeves Veterans Honor Guard posted the colors, followed by a prayer from Chaplain Ken Franklin.
Representative Victor Anderson of Georgia House District 10 delivered an address. In his remarks, he honored the sacrificial nature of Purple Heart recipients.
“It’s not given for ambition,” he said. “It’s not something any of you sought to achieve. It’s awarded in moments where courage meets conflict, and duty outweighs fear. So we, today as a community, say, we see you, we remember.”
The ceremony included the reading of a letter by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins commending Habersham’s endeavor in becoming a Purple Heart County. Later, Woodall, Amanda Doughty of DAV Chapter 15, County Manager Tim Sims, and other local leaders unveiled a new road sign marking Habersham’s new designation. The sign, to be placed at the county’s borders, will serve as a lasting tribute, reminding both residents and visitors of the community’s deep respect for its combat-wounded veterans.
Then, a team of commissioners and VFW leaders honored the veterans listed in the printed Honor Roll, which named local Purple Heart recipients. Commissioners and VFW leaders presented certificates and flags in their honor—each name called, each moment met with applause and gratitude. The ceremony closed with Danny Stephens performing Taps.
Following the ceremony, Sims shared his reaction.
“We were very excited with the turnout,” he told me. “We didn’t expect this many people. This was great. It was an honor to recognize all these folks.”
Representing the Habersham Chamber of Commerce, Ellie Van Doornum shared why her presence, and that of the broader business community, mattered.
“Well, it’s important for every community organization to be present today, because honoring our Purple Heart Veterans—the folks who have literally bled for our freedoms in Habersham County—is absolutely critical,” she said. “They are such valuable folks, and it’s important that they are not forgotten.” She added, “These are our Habersham legends. We would not be our community without them.”
Cake and punch followed, giving the crowd time to mingle, share stories, and pay respects. As guests lingered in the decorated space, some standing, some seated, one truth was clear: Habersham County had shown up in full force to remember its heroes.
