Alois George Befort III, Sr. Vice Commander of the Military order of the Purple Heart department of Missouri, has made it his mission to get every county and city in the state added to the Purple …
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Alois George Befort III, Sr. Vice Commander of the Military order of the Purple Heart department of Missouri, has made it his mission to get every county and city in the state added to the Purple Heart Trail.
Following Thursday's proclamation that designated Audrain County a Purple Heart county and Mexico as a Purple Heart city, he only has two left.
Established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Purple Heart trail is a “symbolic and honorary” system of roads, highways, bridges, and other monuments that honor the veterans who have earned a Purple Heart medal.
“This not only represents the ones who did survive and earn their Purple Heart,” Befort said. “We’re honoring the ones who gave their lives for us, especially during World War II.”
At the proclamation ceremony, Befort told the story of how he almost lost his life due to complications after returning home from the war.
“The doctors were ready to give up on me,” he said. “But guess what – I am still here.”
For that, he received his second Purple Heart.
The motion to make Audrain County a Purple Heart county passed unanimously.
“We are fortunate to have a veterans home here in Mexico and it’s a proud tradition,” Presiding County Commissioner Alan Winders said. “In these times, things like this that are done to build patriotism, to build our citizens, our national pride, and our pride in our military are very important to people.”
“This is not the only recognition we give to veterans,” Western District Commissioner Tracy Graham added. “If you go over here to the east corner (of the courthouse), there is a whole memorial built specifically for Exercise Tiger.”
Representatives of the Daughters of the American Revolution Mexico chapter were there to witness the historic moment.
“If any of you have any ties down in Mississippi (Missouri) and Cape Girardeau, get those county commissioners on board,” Befort said addressing the Audrain County Commissioners and DAR.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of two Purple Heart dedication plaques, one for Audrain County and the other to the city of Mexico.
