A pair of Riverside County Supervisors on Tuesday will ask that reserved parking spaces be designated at County facilities for combat wounded soldiers.
It is no coincidence the request falls on Sept. 11, the day 17 years ago the United States was the target of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda. The United States responded by launching the War on Terror and invaded Afghanistan to overthrow the Taliban. It rages today leaving combat wounded veterans in its wake.
Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel “Manny” Perez and First District Supervisor Kevin Jeffries will ask that a parking space be designated at the Riverside County Administrative Center, on or before Veterans Day 2018, directly adjacent to an existing Disabled Parking stall, for the nation’s military personnel and/or veterans who have received the Purple Heart Medal of the United States of America.
“We owe our veterans and especially our combat wounded a great debt for their service and sacrifice,” Perez told Uken Report. “This is one gesture that honors them with special parking at our facilities.”
This is one more spoke in a wheel of programs and efforts Perez has helped make available to veterans, to help make their lives better and thank them for their service.
Perez and Jeffries are also asking that Supervisors receive a list of County-owned or leased facilities that the leadership team believes should have a Combat Wounded Reserved Parking Space designated. The duo is proposing that at least one parking space be designated at each appropriate county facility no later than Veterans Day 2019.
Perez and Jeffries is requesting the leadership team work in cooperation with Wounded Warrior Family Support, a 501c3 organization, to receive the signs necessary to establish and complete the Reserved Parking for Combat Wounded program at designated county facilities, free of charge.
And, they are not stopping there. Perez and Jeffries are encouraging communities across Riverside County to voluntarily honor the nation’s Combat Wounded using this or similar programs.
“We already have handicapped spaces close to the Administrative Center,” said Jeff Greene, chief of staff for Jeffries. “This is an opportunity to honor those who literally sacrificed so much for our country. We are happy Supervisor Perez asked us to be part of this.”
The Department of Defense, U.S.Veterans Administration, and Military Service Organizations estimate that 1.8 million combat wounded United States military personnel have received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds sustained in combat action.
“Establishing reserved parking spaces at designated County facilities is another way we can honor those America’s who have received this prestigious award,” Perez said. “The intent of this program is to recognize the sacrifice and salute service members who have earned the Purple Heart Medal in connection with their service in the Armed Forces of the Unites States of America.”
Most states and four U.S. territories issue distinctive license plates that identify the recipients of the Purple Heart Medal. This award is also identified on the service members DD 214 or NGB Form 22.
