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Rob Hooper, Branch Manager and
Melissa James (Field Rep for Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee) stand by the first
"proof" sign made by Statewide Safety & Sign, Inc. in Nipomo. A total of 10 signs have been placed on the highway. Photo taken 3/19/2010
Blakeslee
Praises Service of Veterans at Recognition Event Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee held his 3rd
Annual Veterans Recognition Luncheon in San Luis Obispo to honor veterans from
across the Central Coast. Hundreds of veterans and
community members came out to pay tribute to the men and women who have served
or are currently serving in the military. The local event precedes a special State
Assembly ceremony held in Sacramento in June where a Veteran of the Year from
each assembly district is honored. Blakeslee selected Tim
Haley as the 2010 33rd District Veteran of the Year and presented him
with an Assembly Resolution at the Luncheon. Tim is a former Marine and
Vietnam Veteran who received a purple heart for his service. "For me to have
survived and to be able to be here and pay tribute to those who weren't able to
make it home is my big deal," said Vietnam Veteran Tim Haley. Tim is active in
several veterans organizations and was the individual who first
approached Assemblyman Blakeslee about bringing the Purple Heart Trail to the
Central Coast. “Tim has been the heart and soul of our
efforts here on the Central Coast to designate a local portion of the trail.”
Blakeslee said. Blakeslee presented fifteen individual
veterans from the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, and Air Force with Assembly
Resolutions recognizing them for their military service and marking their
contributions to our nation. The proceeds from the luncheon will help pay
for the production and installation of 10 signs marking the Purple Heart Trail
at 5 different locations along Highway 101. The local portion of the Purple
Heart Trail is a part of the National Trail that encompasses more than 45
states. It extends from the City of San Ardo to the City of Los Alamos honoring
Veterans throughout 3 counties on the Central Coast. Assemblyman Blakeslee
authored ACR 12 last year to designate the 115 mile section of Highway 101 to
recognize the military heroes that have been wounded or killed defending our
nation and have been awarded the Purple Heart. A three-year-long project designed to honor those wounded or killed in the
service of this great nation has come to fruition with the completion of the
signage being installed indicating that Highway 101 from San Ardo to Los Alamos
is now officially part of the nationally recognized “Purple Heart Trail.” Thanks to the efforts of a cross section of our community and support from as
far away as New Jersey, the dream of saluting those who have paid the price for
our freedoms has been realized. It is hoped that these signs will serve as reminders that there are those who
serve and pay for our freedoms. It is also hoped that when those who have paid
the price and their families see the signs, they find solace that they are
remembered. The signs will finally serve as guideposts to the wonderful veteran memorials
and museums throughout our county that serve to honor our veterans. Tim Haley
Blakeslee Celebrates
Groundbreaking for the
Event Date: Friday,
April 23, 2010
9:30 a.m.
Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, local elected
officials, and members of the veteran’s community will celebrate the dedication
of the Purple Heart Trail with the installation of the first highway marker.
Location: Corner of Highway 41 and El Camino Real in
Atascadero, in the dirt parking lot adjacent to Rabobank, overlooking the
section of Highway 101 where the first Purple Heart Trail sign will be
installed. Background: Blakeslee was first
approached by local veteran and Purple Heart Recipient Tim Haley in 2008
requesting that Highway 101 be added into the National Purple Heart Trail. Last
year, Blakeslee authored ACR 12, a measure that designated a 115 mile portion of
Highway 101 from the City of San Ardo to the City of Los Alamos as National
Purple Heart Trail. The measure was unanimously passed by the Legislature.
There are 26,000
veterans just in San Luis Obispo County, many of whom actively supported
Blakeslee’s legislative efforts to expand the Purple Heart Trail. A total of 10
Purple Heart Trail signs will be installed throughout three counties marking
Highway 101 as a part of the nationwide network. The trail is intended to serve
as a reminder of all men and women
who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the United States
armed forces
The honorary designation is singularly appropriate for San Luis Obispo
County, which is home to 26,000 veterans. The Purple Heart, the nation’s oldest combat medal, was first awarded to
three soldiers in 1782 by Gen. George Washington. Known then as the Badge of
Military Merit, it is given to those who are killed or wounded in combat. In 1992, veterans began to seek a way to more broadly honor those men and
women and their families, and, through the Military Order of the Purple Heart,
created the Purple Heart Trail. It exists in 20 states, including California,
where portions of I-80 and I-5 are part of the network. “The purpose of the
Purple Heart Trail is to create a symbolic and honorary system of roads,
highways, bridges, and other monuments that give tribute to the men and women
who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal,” according to the Purple Heart
Web site. Tim Haley, a Vietnam veteran from Atascadero, has been leading the effort
to get Purple Heart Trail signs up on the Central Coast. Haley is with the
Marine Corps League, Detachment 680 in San Luis Obispo. Haley asked Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo, to sponsor
legislation. Blakeslee enlisted his colleagues’ support in designating the
115-mile stretch through the three counties as part of the nationwide network. Haley still needs to raise $15,000 for the signs, which will go up on
Highway 101 in San Ardo, Paso Robles, Atascadero, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria
and Los Olivos (s/b: Los Alamos). When people drive by and see Purple Heart Trail signs, Haley said, “I want
them to think of the people who sacrificed” to keep America free. He hopes to have the signs in place by May 1. Haley said those who wish to
donate or who want more information should call Chuck Ward at 466-3062.
Posted: Feb 22, 2010
:
ATASCADERO - The wheels are in motion to transform a long stretch of Highway
101 into the "Purple Heart Trail". It is a designation that honors the
sacrifices made at war. Caltrans crews are preparing to install 10 signs on
the side of the highway. It is a 115-mile stretch from San Ardo, near
Camp Roberts, down to Los Alamos and the turnoff for Vandenberg Air Force
Base. The Marine Corps League Detachment 680 is spear-heading the transformation. Local veterans want to honor the men and women who were wounded in combat
and those who never made it home. "Many didn't return and many returned
with broken bodies and shattered minds," said Chuck Ward, a member of the
Marine Corps League. "It's a sad thing to think about, but it's something I
think we all need to be reminded of." They also hope to draw attention to the veterans museums and monuments on
the Central Coast, including the Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial in
Atascadero. "In our county we have a unique situation in that we have a
tremendous amount of veterans memorials and museums that are fantastic venues
honoring those that have served," said Tim Haley, a member of the Marine Corps
League. The national Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 in Virginia.
The idea was to establish a symbolic trail throughout all 50 states.
Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee authored the necessary legislation that paved the
way for the new segment on the Central Coast. The Marine Corps League Detachment 680 has launched a fundraising campaign
to raise money to pay for a series of signs that will soon go up along Highway
101. There will be a total of 10 signs that designated a 115-mile stretch of the
highway as the "Purple Heart Trail". Donation mailing address: Marine Corps League #680/ Purple Heart Trail Fund VETS VOICE 12/2/2009 January 2010 Issue. Journal/Plus
by Frank Rowan: When I began writing this column for January
2010 it occurred to me that this is my sixth year writing Vets Voice. It has
made me many new friends who call me or write to me. Usually they make good
remarks about the column. The Leading Knight of the Atascadero Elks
Lodge sent me an E-mail about the Veterans Day program they had on November 11th
with over 150 people for dinner. I was a speaker at the San Luis Obispo Elks
Lodge 322 Veterans Day program where we had about 200 people for dinner. As
Exalted Ruler of the Elks I got to introduce the past Camp San Luis Obispo Camp
Commander Lt. Colonel Fisher as keynote speaker. The Elks made a solemn pledge
after WWI, “As long as there are veterans the Elks will never forget them.” The
Elks fulfilled that pledge by dedicating the month of November to all American
Veterans. In 2008 Tim
Haley a Viet Nam veteran and, Commander of the local Marine Corps League
Detachment #680, asked Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee to sponsor Legislation to
designate Highway 101 through the Central Coast area a designated, “PURPLE
HEART TRAIL”. The Purple
Heart Trail was established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a
Congressionally Chartered Veteran Service organization to honor those who have
been wounded or killed in combat. The trail originates in Mount Vernon,
Virginia, outside the main gate of Washington's
Mount Vernon
Estate and travels across the United States to
California
crossing through more than 45 states. Recently Haley
received an E-Mail from Michael Madriaga, Field Representative to Blakeslee,
telling him that ACR 12 in connection with Haley’s request passed and Highway
101 will be part of the Purple Heart trail in California. Mike will be meeting
with Cal Trans to make arrangements for placing the Official Purple Heart signs
along the highway. These signs of course will cost money. Hence, I suspect the
various veterans groups will be having fund. raising activities to defray their
cost. Tim Haley is
one of the most active veterans in the SLO area for veterans. He served in the
Marine Corps. in Viet Nam. He received the Purple Heart for wounds received in
action on April 4th 1968 while serving with the 1st Battalion 9th Marines known
as " The Walking Dead" during the battle of Khe Sanh." Tim is one of
the Marines who have done several hundred military funeral services for local
veterans. At a Post 66
meeting last week a legionnaire asked about “Cold War” certificates and how to
get one. I thought everyone who was eligible had already gotten one because I
get mine several years ago. The Cold War certificate are given to anyone who
served in the United States military service from September 2,1945 to December
26, 1991. Essentially from WWII ending to completion of the Desert Storm
recovery of Kuwait. There are
several ways to apply for the certificate. 1. Call the Military Awards
Branch 703-325-5864 and ask for the application 2. On the internet E-Mail<
CWRS Team> 3. For computer geeks, Google
“Cold War Certificate Program” and apply for an application. Number 3. is
how I did it. With proper proof of your service during that time. They send you
a nice looking certificate signed by the Secretary of Defense. It is suitable
for framing and hanging on your trophy wall. If you don’t have a trophy wall
this would be a good reason to start one. Ok I guess
that’s about enough info for the start of a New Year. May 2010 be the best ever
for us all and allow the bringing of our troops home to stay. Keep in touch via
phone or E-mail 543-1973 or
frowan248@att.net. See you right
here in February to celebrate Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays.
APPROVED CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE BILL: BILL NUMBER: ACR 12 CHAPTERED 08/24/09 RESOLUTION CHAPTER 84 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE AUGUST 24, 2009 ADOPTED IN SENATE JULY 9, 2009 ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY AUGUST 17, 2009 AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 10, 2009 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 25, 2009 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Blakeslee (Coauthor: Assembly Member Caballero) JANUARY 20, 2009 Relative to the National Purple Heart Trail. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ACR 12, Blakeslee. National Purple Heart Trail. This measure would designate a specified portion of State Highway Route 101 from Monterey County to Santa Barbara County for inclusion in the National Purple Heart Trail. The measure would also request that the Department of Transportation determine the cost for appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, erect those signs. WHEREAS, The National Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 for the purpose of commemorating and honoring men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the United States Armed Forces; and WHEREAS, The National Purple Heart Trail courses its way across the vast majority of the United States; and WHEREAS, In 2001, pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, the Legislature designated portions of State Highway Routes 5 and 80 as California's selections for inclusion in the National Purple Heart Trail; and WHEREAS, The Legislature finds that it is appropriate to designate additional portions of the state highway system for inclusion in the National Purple Heart Trail in order to honor the men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the United States Armed Forces; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the portion of State Highway Route 101 from mile marker 9.67 in Monterey County to mile marker 36.16 in Santa Barbara County for inclusion in the National Purple Heart Trail; and be it further Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to determine the cost of appropriate signs, consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway system, showing that special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those signs; and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Department of Transportation and to the author for appropriate distribution.
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