APPLETON — Despite years of waiting, a fallen WWI soldier will finally receive his Purple Heart.
The family of George C. Arts will receive his medal during a ceremony Saturday as part of the Fox Valley Veterans Council’s Veterans Day tribute.
The event will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. inside of the Outagamie County Court House in front of the Veterans Memorial at 410 S. Walnut St, Appleton.
A special presentation of the Purple Heart will be made to the family of Arts who served in WWI, was severely wounded, came home to make a life but eventually succumbed to his injuries and died at the age of 35.
At the time, Arts never received the Purple Heart.
But through the efforts of the Fox Valley Veterans Council and Rep. Mike Gallagher’s office, the family will be presented with the medal at the ceremony.
The theme of Saturday’s Veterans Day Ceremony is “Chevron to Heart” and the event will focus on the meaning of the Wound Chevron and the Purple Heart.
Maj. Eric VanHout, Battalion Officer with the 2-127th Infantry, Appleton Army National Guard, will join in the award.
Arts hailed from the Red Arrow, 32nd Division which the 2-127th hails from as well.
The program will include highlights of Art’s service, music from Joseph Scala and the Fox Valleyaires and a poem read by Roy Rogers, a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
The Patriot Guard, Scarlet Guard, and American Legion Post 38 will provide honoring element.
