Observance of Veterans Day at Three Rivers was fully covered by the press. See below for stories from The Day, Norwich Bulletin and WTNH Channel 8.

 

Three Rivers designates parking spots for Purple Heart recipients

Norwich, CT (The Day, November 12, 2018) —  Three Rivers Community College unveiled two parking spots, freshly painted purple, near the main entrance on campus Monday – making it the first college in the state to designate parking spots for Purple Heart recipients.

Two current students and a faculty member have been awarded the medal. They were not at the brief ceremony unveiling the spots Monday, and did not want their names publicized.

The Purple Heart, one of the oldest and most renowned military medals, is awarded to service members who were killed or wounded by enemy action. The medal was established by the Army in 1932, initially to recognize “meritorious action.”

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor estimates that 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have greatly increased the number of service members receiving the award, and the potential conditions for receiving the award: a purple heart-shaped medal with bronze border and George Washington’s coat of arms between two green spray leaves.

A local organization started by a Three Rivers graduate and Purple Heart recipient Brent Walker donated the signage for the newly designated parking spots. Walker is the CEO and founder of Guardians of the Purple Heart, which assists and raises awareness about Purple Heart recipients in Connecticut. … Read the full article here: Three Rivers designates parking spots for Purple Heart recipients.

— By Julia Bergman, Day staff writer

 

Local veterans celebrated; honored for service

Norwich, CT (Norwich Bulletin, November 12, 2018) — While eastern Connecticut was abuzz Sunday with Veterans Day celebrations and commemorations, a pair of local events Monday at Three Rivers Community College and Foxwoods Resort Casino carried forth the region’s efforts to honor veteran service and sacrifice.

At Three Rivers in Norwich, the school held a dedication for two newly-designated Purple Heart parking spaces just steps away from the building’s main entrance.

The school’s acting Director of Student Activities Alycia Ziegler said the school has a large veteran population and felt it was appropriate to honor the veteran population at Three Rivers.

“Eight percent of our students are veterans,” Ziegler said. “A great number more are military families or families of veterans.” … Read the full article here: Local veterans celebrated; honored for service.

— By Kevin Aherne, Norwich Bulletin staff writer

 

 Purple Heart parking spaces at Three Rivers

NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH) – Front-row recognition for those who served and sacrificed for our country.

“We wanted to give our combat-wounded veterans access to the front of the building,
but we didn’t want to take away from the handicapped spots,” said Alycia Ziegler, Director of Student Activities at Three Rivers Community College.

The two spots painted purple are reserved for Purple Heart recipients. The school knows of two students and one staff member who have received the military honor.

“I think it’s amazing being an alumni, being a Purple Heart recipient,” said Brent Walker who founded the group Guardians of the Purple Heart. … Watch the full clip here: Purple Heart parking spaces at Three Rivers

— By Tina Detelj, News 8, WTNH reporter