SILVERHILL, Alabama —The Silverhill Town Council honored one of the town’s own presenting resident Edward P. “Ed” Evans with a proclamation at the Monday, April 5 council meeting, congratulating Evans for being Alabama’s honoree for the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project.
Residents, members of the Evans family and members of the local Military Order of Purple Heart packed Silverhill Town Hall for the meeting to present Evans with the proclamation.
“I can’t think of anyone who deserves this honor more,” said Silverhill Mayor Jared Lyles. “On behalf of the town, I just want to say how proud we are of Mr. Evans. We are proud, not only that he represents the state of Alabama, but also the town of Silverhill.”
Evans will represent the state of Alabama at the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project, which will be held during the week of Sept. 27 at the historic Hudson Valley in New York.
Sponsored in part by Hampton Inn Woodbury-Harriman and Barry’s Estate Jewelry, the multi-day salute to service will bring together Purple Heart heroes representing each state and territory in the nation “to pay tribute to their courage and sacrifice on behalf of a grateful nation,” according to the group’s website, purpleheartmission.org.
“I want to say how much I appreciate what the town has done, not only for myself, but all of the Purple Heart recipients,” Evans said. “I never would have thought I would be the one selected for this honor considering that the state of Alabama has the third largest number of Purple Heart recipients in the nation. I humbly accept this honor.”
Proclamation 04-05-2021, passed unanimously by the Silverhill Town Council April 5, reads:
“A PROCLAMATION CONGRATULATING MR. EDWARD P. EVANS FOR BEING ALABAMA’S HONOREE FOR THE 2021 PURPLE HEART PATRIOT PROJECT:
“WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in the world in present use; and it is one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the United States armed forces wounded or killed while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, and
“WHEREAS, in a desire to recognize outstanding achievements by citizens of Baldwin County, Alabama, the Baldwin County Commission notes with commendation the earned distinction of Mr. Edward P. Evans, a Purple Heart Hero, for being selected to represent fellow Purple Heart Recipients as Alabama’s Honoree for the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project; and
“WHEREAS, Mr. Evans was born in the Pensacola area to Edward and Pauline Evans, moved to Seminole, Alabama at a very young age, attended school at Elsanor, Alabama and graduated from Robertsdale High School; and
“WHEREAS, Mr. Evans joined the Army in September of 1948 and was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division, B Battery 15th Field Artillery Battalion as a Sgt. E-6 where he served from July to September 1950; and
“WHEREAS, on September 1, 1950, Mr. Evans was involved in “Operation Manchu”, during which his unit suffered attacks by four North Korean Divisions and after enduring four days of inexhaustible attacks; and
“WHEREAS, Mr. Evans was awarded the Bronze Star for his bravery when calling for an airdrop of food and ammunition while under threat of enemy fire and he spent two and a half days traveling at night and hiding during the day to later find out that he was 8.5 miles behind enemy lines; and
“WHEREAS, on September 19, 1950, Mr. Evans was severely injured and hospitalized, but was fortunate enough to be one of the only 27 survivors out of approximately 300+ troops; and
“WHEREAS, when Mr. Evans returned to the United States, he married the love of his life Mildred Krob, and they remained married for 66 years and had three children together, Karla Dauzat, Marcia Evans and Larry Evans; and
“WHEREAS, Mr. Evans retired from the United States Army on October 1, 1968 with 20 years of honorable service and now resides in Silverhill, Alabama; and
“WHEREAS, Mr. Evans has worked tirelessly for the Military Order of Purple Heart to bring recognition and remembrance to those who have been awarded the purple heart, with his effort culminating in each and every municipality in Mobile and Baldwin Counties becoming “Purple Heart Cities,” and
“WHEREAS, he has given of his time and efforts to support the Silverhill Veterans Memorial Committee; and
“WHEREAS, the Town of Silverhill Mayor and the Town Council have a great admiration for the men and women who have selflessly served our country and acknowledges our Veterans who have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their families and communities behind and placing their own lives in harm’s way for the good of all; now therefore
“BE IT PROCLAIMED, BY THE TOWN OF SILVERHILL TOWN COUNCIL ASSEMBLED DURING A MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING, that we hereby proclaim the recognition of the many achievements and contributions of Mr. Edward P. Evans during his military service and commend him for representing his fellow Purple Heart recipients as Alabama’s Honoree for the 2021 Purple Heart Project.”
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located just north of West Point, New York, at the site where Gen. George Washington first awarded the Medal of Military Merit in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. The badge, shaped like a purple heart, was the forerunner of today’s medal.
In addition to creation of the museum, supporters of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission were instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp now issued by the U.S. Postal Service, and are leading the effort in Congress to pass the National Purple Heart Commemorative Coin Act.
Those wishing to learn more about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission or donate to support the Purple Heart Patriot Project should visit PurpleHeartMission.org.
In other business, the council approved the purchase of structural casing around a water bore on Camelia Road at a cost of $1,420.
