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Gil Sawyer presenting awards to Katherine Renfrew, Ruby Papa and Janice Dudley
The Military Order of the Purple Heart recently recognized several members of the MacArthur Memorial and General Douglas MacArthur Foundation staff for their roles in dedicating the Purple Heart Trail monument at the MacArthur Memorial in February 2003.
Ed Buen, Commander of MOPH Chapter 136, and Gil Sawyer, Americanism Officer of Chapter 136, presented Janice Dudley, Ruby Papa and Katherine Renfrew with the MOPH Distinguished Service Award at a special ceremony held in the Memorial August 7, 2003. The awards are in recognition of their work in organizing the reception that followed the February 22 monument dedication ceremony. The framed citations read in part, "for exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous service to the Military order of the Purple Heart...as an expression of gratitude for these services, I hereby award this citation on behalf of all members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart," signed William A. Wroolie, National commander of the MOPH.
Presentation of the awards coincided with the annual presentation of the MOPH scholarship, awarded this year to Thomas A. Mangohig of Maury High School, who will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall. The scholarship is awarded to an outstanding area high school senior, participating in his respective school’s JROTC program.
The Purple Heart Trail monument [featured in Vol. XXVI No. 1 of the MacArthur Report] was dedicated on the 71st anniversary of the "birth" of the Purple Heart and the 271st anniversary of George Washington’s birth. The monument marks the eastern terminus of the Purple Heart Trail, connecting Washington’s home and final resting place Mount Vernon in northern Virginia with Douglas MacArthur’s final resting place in Norfolk. Washington established the forerunner of the Purple Heart, the Badge of Military Merit, in August 1782, and MacArthur later revived the decoration as the Purple Heart in 1932 during his term as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.
In publicizing the event to fellow veterans beforehand, MOPH Virginia Department Commander John Edgerton stated that the dedication ceremony would be "a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the life of [the] MOPH" as it marked the fruition of more than 10 years of work on behalf of the organization to erect a monument to General MacArthur in Norfolk. Edgerton’s remarks set the bar at a high level for the MacArthur staff to meet in planning the reception to follow the ceremony itself, but the three ladies proved equal to the challenge.
Planning for the reception began in November. Omar’s Carriage House in Norfolk catered what Purple Heart Trail coordinator George M. Gallagher later termed "a delicious repast for the participants and spectator guests," that was held in a heated tent; a welcome venue in February. The color scheme for the vent was, of course, purple and white. But perhaps the highlights were the cakes and small chocolates decorated as the Purple Heart made by Alison Murray of Suffolk, VA.
"What was most rewarding to me is that everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves" at the reception, said Renfrew. "We had a lot of compliments that day from board members, staff and guests," added Dudley.
And the awards came as a surprise to the recipients. "I had no idea that we were going to be receiving an award. I was quite surprised," said Papa.
"We had a good time planning and we were very honored to do the reception for such an honored group as the veterans and for them to do this for us is just amazing," said Dudley.
In reference to all who played a part in the establishment of a monument to General MacArthur, MOPH’s Gallagher stated, "their accomplishments gave the citizens of this nation a monument that will stand the test of time, and cause all who visit to remember the Purple Heart recipients along with the role that General Douglas MacArthur played in reviving and redesigning the Purple Heart decoration as we know it today."
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