In an effort to show support for countywide Purple Heart recipients and to acknowledge them for their courage, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners has taken steps to proclaim Polk County one of the nations first Purple Heart Counties.

“Polk County has one of the largest veteran populations in Florida, being home to over 51,000 veterans, with many of these soldiers having been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in combat,” said Mike Mason, Polk County supervisor of veterans services. “Being the county located in the heart of Florida and having the utmost respect for our veterans, I am proud of our board of county commissioners for choosing to make Polk County one of only four Purple Heart Counties in the United States.”