Kearns unveils special parking spot dedicated to Purple Heart veterans

Erie County Auto Bureau offers a way to honor those wounded in combat

Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns unveiled the newest reserved parking space for Purple Heart combat wounded veterans. This one is at the Erie County Auto Bureau located at 6853 Erie Road in the Town of Evans. The reserved space is immediately adjacent to existing handicapped parking spots. It is the seventh such spot for Purple Heart recipients Kearns has secured in Erie County.

“With Veterans Day approaching on Nov. 11, I am honored to dedicate this specially reserved parking spot in our ongoing effort to salute service members wounded in combat,” Kearns said. “It serves as a reminder that we have residents throughout Erie County that have bravely served our nation, made sacrifices for us, and were bestowed the Purple Heart.”

Over the past few years, Vice Cmdr. Russell Ward of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 187 has been promoting the "Purple Heart Parking Spot" program through the “Americanism campaign” across Erie and Niagara counties.

“We thank Ere County Clerk Kearns for continuing this program, which began back when he was a New York State Assemblyman,” Ward said. “We also invite business owners to acknowledge and honor the sacrifices made by Purple Heart recipient service men and women by allocating a distinct designated parking space at their place of business.”

Any area business that is interested in this program can call 716-587-1120 or email [email protected].

Kearns said, “It is important we continue to expand this program across the entire county to honor those who served, were wounded and came home, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard the freedoms we have today. You can never say ‘Thank you’ enough to our veteran community.”

Dedicated parking signs will continue to go up at the remaining auto bureau locations for those bestowed the “Badge of Military Merit” over the next few months. Additional Purple Heart combat wounded parking places can be found at Lackawanna City Hall, West Seneca Town Hall, Evans Senior Center, MDS Associates in Cheektowaga, VFW Post 735 in West Seneca, and Western New York Federal Credit Union.