Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) honors Purple Heart medal recipients with a unique tribute. In the PMC parking garage on the second floor there is now a parking spot that has been painted purple in honor of these heroes.
This project was inspired by Pikeville’s own, James Hartsock.

Hartsock received the Purple Heart medal during his time in the U.S. Army while serving in Afghanistan.

The Purple Heart is America’s oldest military award dating back to 1782 when General George Washington decided to create the Badge of Military Merit to recognize heroic acts by his troops and Pikeville is proud of its local hero who is part of that amazing list.

PMC Vice President of the Board of Directors and CEO Donovan Blackburn quoted Robert Green Ingersoll as saying, “When the will defies fear, when duty throws the gauntlet down to fate, when honor scorns to compromise with death – that is heroism.”

Blackburn continued, “We are proud of our military heroes. Today we are excited to publicly display those sentiments as we honor all Purple Heart recipients, including James Hartsock, with a permanent parking spot in our parking garage. They also hold a permanent spot in our hearts that we refer to as gratitude.”

It is only fitting that this recognition take place during May since it is marked officially as Military Appreciation Month, a special month for those both in and out of the military.

Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to ensure the nation was given the chance to publicly show their appreciation for troops past and present.

VFW members Post Commander Rob Howard, Nathan Sesco, Jake Selwood, Jimmy Adkins, and Darian Hylton along with Pikeville City Commissioner Steve Hartsock and Purple Heart recipient James Hartsock were in attendance when the painting of the parking spot took place.

James Allen once said, “No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.”

The PMC Board of Directors, Donovan Blackburn, PMC Senior Vice Presidents, Physicians and staff take this opportunity to thank James Hartsock and all those who have served in the military to protect our country.
The sacrifices of these men and women have given Americans the opportunity to live in the greatest nation in the world.

The War Library is continually compiling a list of confirmed Purple Heart Medal recipients from all Service Branches. The growing list is publicly accessible on The War Library. Library access information is available at http://www.amervets.com/library.htm.