What is the Purple Heart Trail?
“As you travel the Purple Heart Trails, please take a moment to remember the bloodshed and the ultimate sacrifices that have been paid for our nation’s freedom.”
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. The Purple Heart Trail accomplishes this honorary goal by creating a visual reminder to those who use the road system that others have paid a high price for their freedom to travel and live in a free society. Signs placed at various locations annotate those roads and highways where legislation has been passed to designate parts of the national road system as The Purple Heart Trail. The actual format and design of the signs vary from state to state. There are currently designated sections in 45 states as well as Guam.
With thousands of miles encompassing Louisiana's land and waterways, there are always more opportunities to increase the list of Purple Heart Designations.
What Is The History Of The Purple Heart Trail?
The Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The original idea for the Purple Heart Trail came from Patriot Frank J. Kuhn, Jr., a member of Chapter 1732 in Virginia. His idea was carried to the national level by Patriot George Gallagher, a member of Virginia Chapter 353. Patriot Gallagher was a former National Adjutant. Patriot Gallagher introduced Patriot Kuhn’s Purple Heart Trail idea as a resolution during the 1992 MOPH National Convention held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The resolution was approved and the MOPH National Purple Heart Trail began. The Purple Heart Trail originates at a monument in Mt Vernon, Virginia. Mt Vernon is the burial location of George Washington. This monument marks the origin of the Purple Heart Trail.
ABOVE: The first Purple Heart Trail marker, at Mt. Vernon, Virginia was created by Mickey Gallagher, the wife of Purple Heart Recipient and MOPH member George Gallagher. Her initials (MG) are indicated on the lower right corner as you view the monument.
The USS Kidd DD661
in Baton Rouge
is a designated
Purple Heart Ship.
Build The Purple Heart Trail
Want to have your town, city or county designated a Purple Heart Locality?
Louisiana Purple Heart Entities
Cities/Parishes
Ponchatoula, LA 70454 *1st Purple Heart City in State
Baton Rouge, 70281
The Parish of St. Charles, 70057
Bossier City, 71171
East Baton Rouge Parish, 70802
Hammond, 70403
Livingston Parish, Livingston 70754
Tangipahoa Parish, Amite City 70754
Town of Benton, 71066
City of Walker, 70785
City of Denham Springs, 70726
City of Gonzales (to be declared 8/12/23)**
Parish of Ascension (to be declared 8/12/23)**
** Click here for more details on the Gonzales Veterans Park dedication
Purple Heart Trail Routes
Highway 171 from Lake Charles to Shreveport.
USS Kidd DD661- “Purple Heart Ship”
Jones Creek Road in East Baton Rouge.
I-20, from I-49 to I-220.
Purple Heart Bridge over Red River in Alexandria.
Irma Blvd in Gonzales (to be declared 8/12/23)
Other Entities
-Bossier Parish Community College, 6220 E. Texas Street, Bossier City LA 71111
-The Greater Baton Rouge Model Railroaders- “Purple Heart Supporter Club”
-Simmesport VFW Post 7643, 295 Norwood Dr., Simmesport 71369
-Dunson Rd, Ponchatoula, 70454
-John McDonogh VFW Post 3121, 475 Monroe Street, Gretna 70053
-Denham Springs Memorial VFW Post 7017, 113 ---Centerville Street, Denham Springs 70726,
-JC Keyser VFW Post 1962, 1351 Hwy 504, Natchitoches, 71457
-West St. Charles VFW Post 3750, 140 Angus Dr., Luling 70070
-Andrus Blanchard VFW Post 9903, 430 MIA -Memorial Blvd, Church Point 70525
-Hammond VFW Post 3652, 15800 Demarco Ln, Hammond 70403
-Starks Memorial VFW Post 4759, 4402 HWY 12, Starks 70070
-West St. Charles Auxiliary VFW Post 3750, 140 Angus Dr., Luling 70070
-Starks Memorial Auxiliary VFW Post 4759, 4402 HWY 12, Starks 70661
-Declaring VFW Post 3619, 1115 LA-27, DeRidder, 70634
-Hammond Auxiliary VFW Post 3652, 15800 Demarco Ln, Hammond 70403
-Homer Williams, VFW Post 8720, 21470 Mire Drive, Abita, 70420
-Gandy Brown VFW Post 4588, 1004 Jeter Street, Bossier City 71111
-Eunice VFW Post 8971, 3809 US Hwy 190, Eunice, 70535
-Gandy Brown VFW Post 4588 Auxilian, 1004 Jeter Street, Bossier City, 71111
-VFW Post 3693 (to be declared 8/12/23)
-Louisiana National Guards:
-Camp Villere (formal dedication on 7/26/23)
-Jackson Barracks (formal dedication on 7/26/23)
-Camp Beauregard, Camp Cook,
-Center, Camp Minden, and the Armed Forces Training Center.
-Gillis Long to be formally declared 8/21/23.
-Pizza Platoon (Purple Heart Pizzaria) 460 Town Center Pkwy, Slidell, LA 70458
HOW TO REQUEST A location to be listed on the Purple Heart Trail:
Military Order of the Purple Heart
Purple Heart Trail Considerations
Recommended Procedures
General Information:
The Purple Heart Trail program began in1992 at Mt. Vernon, Virginia. The goal was to make the public aware of the Purple Heart Medal and what the medal represented. Roads, bridges, highways, and trails were designated as a part of the Purple Heart Trail. The Purple Heart Trail grew so did the request from businesses, colleges, universities, cities, towns, sports teams, airports, buildings, and many others.
The Purple Heart designation is an “Outward expression of an internal desire to recognize and Honor recipients of the Purple Heart”. The Purple Heart is presented to men and women of all military services that have been injured or killed in action against an enemy of the United States.
The Process to become a Purple Heart Designated Location:
Louisiana’s Department Commander, Ron Crowley, begins the process when he is notified that a location is interested in being designated a Purple Heart entity. It is recommended that a meeting be arranged to talk about options, dates of presentation, and other items that will enhance the experience of Purple Heart recipients, their families, and members of the community.
There is no charge to have a Purple Heart designation; however, signage or window clings are the responsibility of the requestor.
Ideas and suggestions for types of activities that Purple Heart locations can provide:
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Many Cities, Towns, and Counties have canvased their citizens through news releases and notifications to churches and businesses to find Purple Heart recipients. Family members and Gold Star Families will have pictures and stories of their loved ones that have received the Purple Heart. The idea is to collect information, stories, and pictures and develop a booklet that others can see and read about the men and women of their community. Once the information is collected and published date is set for a “Meet and Greet” where the families and recipients of the Purple Heart can have a cup of coffee and a cookie to talk about their family members. At this point, the leadership of the community reads a Proclamation and is presented with a Plaque designating the City, Town, or County as a Purple Heart City, and placed on the Purple Heart Trail website.
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Provide Purple Heart recipients with tax relief, and reduced fees at parks, zoos, parking facilities, and public events. Set aside August 7th each year as National Purple Heart Day, and place signs that indicate that this location is a Purple Heart entity.
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Businesses, Universities, Colleges, and other Learning Institutions may provide a Veterans Oasis or study area. Provide a reception to honor Purple Heart recipients and other veterans as students or business employees.
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Sports teams, Stadiums, and Medical Facilities draw from a large area and may not be able to have contact information to canvas individuals that use their facilities. These Facilities can still be a Purple Heart entity and will create an event that will lift our Purple Heart families and recipients with things like a Purple Heart game or Day.
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Options to provide Purple Heart Recipients, and their families the honor they deserve are not limited to any one option. There are many stories that have never been told, some families receive the Purple Heart in the mail, and they need to be able to tell the story about their loved ones.
Have questions? Contact Commander Ron Crowley at
(337) 278-6887